Can the decorated Risa Sato bring her championship pedigree to Chery Tiggo and help the Crossovers reach the PVL summit?
Crossing over to a new chapter in her pro volleyball career is Risa Sato.
The decorated middle blocker’s high profile transfer from the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers just added another layer of excitement and competitiveness into the ongoing PVL All-Filipino Conference.
[ALSO READ: Chery Tiggo announces signing of Risa Sato ahead of PVL All-Filipino resumption]
And for the first time, Sato revealed in public the reason for her departure with the team she won 10 titles in a span of seven successful years.
“Naisip ko na time ko na umalis ng Creamline. Dumating ‘yung bagong players, kaya pwede na kong umalis [ng team],” the 30-year-old Filipino-Japanese bared on One News' Play By Play.
Sato last saw action during the 2024 PVL Invitational Conference that saw Creamline complete an unprecedented Grand Slam, the first in Philippine professional volleyball scene.
Afterwards, the Cool Smashers announced that they granted Sato’s request for early contract termination last October with the deal set to originally expire in December.
The three-time Best Middle Blocker also explained her decision to join the Crossovers, citing familiarity.
“Chery Tiggo [‘yung napili kong team] kasi marami akong kakilala doon, mga [dating] NU players. Kilala ko si coach Norman [Miguel], coach Aaron [Velez], Jasmine Nabor, Jen Nierva, Princess Robless, Joyme Cagande. Naisip ko na gusto ko na ulit magkasama [kami],” the crowd-favorite volleybelle bared.
In fact, Miguel coached Sato during his NU days with the UAAP which made the reunion alonsgide some of her fellow ex-Lady Bulldog exciting.
“Nakakamiss ‘yung practice [niya]. Excited ako sistema ni coach Norman ulit.”
Chery Tiggo, currently at 4-2, resumes its All-Filipino campaign against the league-leading Petro Gazz Angels, Tuesday, January 21 at the PhilSports Arena.
[ALSO READ: PVL teams making headlines before the resumption of All-Filipino Conference | OS Quick Run]