PVL: Aby Maraño vows to go ‘all out’ for Chery Tiggo’s title drive as semis nears

Aby Maraño is no stranger to the pressure-packed atmosphere of postseason competition.

In her time with the now-defunct F2 Logistics, Maraño grew accustomed to the intensity of contending for a title in the critical junctures of a tournament, shaping her into a resilient, battle-tested player that she is today.

Maraño has now brought her veteran expertise and leadership to Chery Tiggo in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, where she is looking to steer the high-spirited Crossovers to the promised land.

Chery Tiggo moved a step closer to that goal on Thursday after booking a trip to the round-robin semis with a hard-fought win over Galeries Tower, 26-24, 23-25, 19-25, 25-12, 15-9.

[RELATED: PVL: Alina Bicar, Chery Tiggo secure last semis berth, extend streak to seven with escape from Galeries Tower]

“Siyempre, hindi na rin naman bago sakin ‘yung feeling na umaabot sa semis. But this time, grateful ako kasi ‘yung mga kasama ko naman din going into the semis ay mahuhusay, very talented, very committed and passionate sa volleyball. So, I don’t see anything na maghihinder sa'min going through the semifinals and until we get to the ultimate goal,” the 5-foot-8 middle blocker said.

“Every single day, nakikita ko ‘yung fire sa mga teammates ko down to the coaches, down to the management ng Chery Tiggo. Sobra akong excited na may makuha kami this conference.”

Chery Tiggo has clinched a PVL title once, the 2021 Open Conference title with Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat. The Crossovers now have a new sister duo in EJ and Eya Laure, while getting veteran guidance from Ara Galang and Tyang Aby.

Adding fuel to her already fiery resolve, Maraño is driven by a deep sense of gratitude to Chery Tiggo for providing her a new home after F2 Logistics disbanded late last year.

This sense of loyalty inspires the 31-year-old Passi, Iloilo native to give her absolute best as the Crossovers head into the semifinals, which will go into full swing on April 30, Tuesday.

[ALSO READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo braces for Mylene Paat’s absence in semis as 2024 KOVO tryouts nears, says Kungfu Reyes]

“Siyempre, pinagtibay na tayo ng panahon. Nakilala na tayo na ito yung kaya natin gawin. Tine-take ko na lang na motivation every single day 'yung tiwala na binibigay sa akin ng team, especially ng Chery Tiggo, ng coaching staff, ng teammates ko, and yung love that I get from them, kahit na galing ako sa ibang team for the longest time,” Maraño said.

“Siguro isa sa mga nagiging fire ko is gusto ko ibalik sa kanila ‘yung respeto at tsaka 'yung pagmamahal na nararamdaman ko. Para tulungan sila sa lahat ng klase ng bagay, sa lahat ng sangay para makuha 'yung ultimate goal ng team na 'to. And before, nung nagkaroon ng announcement na ayun nga, mawawala na 'yung team ko before, wala akong ibang team na tinitignan kundi 'yung Chery lang. So nandito na ko, wala na ding rason pa para sakin na hindi ko i-all out.”