The Chery Tiggo veterans are taking the tournament one step at a time.
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are gaining momentum in the PVL Invitational Conference.
After getting swept by the defending champions Creamlin Cool Smashers in the opening game of the tournament, the Crossovers bounced back with a confidence-boosting five-set victory over the Akari Chargers. They quickly followed that up with a commanding sweep over the newcomers Gerflor Defenders, behind the inspired play of Mylene Paat.
Chery Tiggo can secure their spot in the next round with a win against the PLDT High Speed hitters on Tuesday.
Paat and company are laser-focused on the task at hand. In fact, they even forgot that the league would host guest teams.
"Wala sa isip ko na may foreign team pala na paparating. Nasa isip ko lang talaga is PLDT," Paat admitted to former PBA commisioner and now host Noli Eala on One PH's Power and Play.
"So kailangan namin munang manalo sa PLDT. Tsaka namin iisipin mga remaining games namin. Ngayon ko lang din [naisip na may guest teams]."
Kurashiki Ablaze from Japan and Vietnam's Kinh Bac Bac Ninh will grace the league in the round-robin semifinals against four local squads. But even Crossovers' Pauline Gaston has not been looking far ahead.
"We'll just take it one game at a time. Nakalimutan ko nga na may mga foreign teams na dadating kasi sobrang focused kami on what is the match ahead," Gaston said.
"Alam ko marami sa Chery obsessed with getting better at their craft. Maraming nage-extra work. I feel like all the hard work and sacrifices will pay off."
Chery Tiggo finished dead last in the previous PVl Invitational. But the mindset of Paat, Gaston, and the rest of the revamped squad is looking to be a good omen this year.