Khat Bell has delivered championships in the past—and she looks to do the same with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL.
American spiker Khat Bell is set to make her long-awaited return to the Philippines as she joins the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, which begins on July 16.
Bell is back in the country after four years, or since playing for the defunct Petron Blaze Spikers in the Philippine Super Liga in 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic canceled their season.
Now, the 31-year-old power hitter will join a loaded Chery Tiggo squad, eager to secure a second title in the PVL.
Since joining the team, Bell has enjoyed her time with the Crossovers, even singling out team captain Aby Maraño for the help she’s given to her.
“It’s been a long time. I’m so happy to be back. The experience so far has been amazing. Chery [Tiggo] has been so welcoming, so warming,” Bell told One Sports during the PVL Media Day on Saturday, July 13.
“Aby [Maraño], who is our team captain, has been amazing to me. It’s good to be back and [be] adjusted pretty well, so I’m very happy to be back,” she added.
Bell is no stranger to winning titles in the Philippines after leading Petron to two PSL Grand Prix titles in 2018 and 2019.
With Chery Tiggo, the 6-foot-2 American ace is taking things one step at a time.
“Joining Chery Tiggo, honestly, there’s not really any big expectations. If anything, I just expect us to obviously practice hard, and I think anything will work out for itself,” said Bell. “As long as we train hard and focus on each other, focus inside the court, everything should fall into place.”
A lot has changed since Bell last played in the Philippines.
As she faces some of her former teammates from Petron, Bell made sure to single out a specific teammate of hers that she is eager to face at some point in the upcoming conference.
“Things have changed; players are everywhere now. There’s 12 teams; there’s also a lot of new teams. Some of the old teams have been disbarred,” said Bell.
“I know, besides playing Petro Gazz, I know that Remy is there. We’re obviously really good friends as well. I look forward to seeing her and compete against her. She’s amazing and she’s always very competitive in a way,” she added.
Unfortunately for Bell and Palma, Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz won’t be in the same group in the Reinforced Conference.
But if things go their way, the two squads could meet in the semifinals, where a thrilling showdown between Bell and Palma will definitely take place.