Chery Tiggo head coach Norman Miguel isn't too worried about having too many middle blockers as Risa Sato and Imee Hernandez could soon join the Crossovers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
With Imee Hernandez back in training and Risa Sato nearing her Chery Tiggo debut, head coach Norman Miguel is faced with a “good problem” concerning his middle blockers.
With the two bolstering the Crossovers’ lineup in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Miguel will now have five middle blockers at his disposal.
Hernandez and Sato will join team captain Aby Maraño, Cza Carandang, and Seth Rodriguez in the squad as Chery Tiggo is set to parade a formidable frontline at full strength.
For Miguel, having more talented players on his roster is a positive thing, especially following the departure of several key stars during the offseason which included Eya Laure, EJ Laure, and Buding Duremdes.
“Mas marami ka na ngayong options na ‘yung lineup mo puwede pa maging formidable. Kasi nung nag-start kami nagkaroon ng very abrupt transition nung umalis ‘yung Laure sisters, kay Buding [Duremdes] and then may mga rehab pang ginagawa,” Miguel told One Sports.
“So, ngayon naman isa-isa sila bumabalik, positive problem talaga so mas magandang talagang pag-iisipan mo sino [papasok].”
[ALSO READ: Norman Miguel works on Chery Tiggo's character as team continues to adjust to loss of its stars]
While many are wondering how Chery Tiggo will handle the minutes of all these talented players, Miguel acknowledges that it will be a situational thing for the coaching staff.
“Ganun talaga trabaho ng coaching. Adjust ka lang ng adjust kung ano talaga swak sa game. Ang importante sinong magpapanalo dun,” Miguel explained.
But if there’s anything that the Crossovers have been focusing on as of late, it’s activating the middle blockers. In the past two games, Carandang alone has put up double-digit scoring with 13 and 12 markers against Petro Gazz and Farm Fresh, respectively.
“Nung mga [unang laro], walang connection sa middle. Pag hindi mo na-activate ‘yung mga middles, mauubos ‘yung mga wing spikers,” said Miguel.
Chery Tiggo will be back on Thursday, Jan. 30 against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.