The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are watching their every step as they face an energized Nxled in the quarterfinals of PVL on Tour.
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are approaching their quarterfinals clash against the Nxled Chameleons with an air of caution as they continue the knockout phase of PVL on Tour.
After regaining their winning form with a three-set victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, Chery Tiggo will face a tougher opponent in the quarterfinals in the form of the surprising Nxled Chameleons, who finished pool play with a strong 4-1 record.
[READ: Chery Tiggo knocks out Galeries Tower to make PVL on Tour quarterfinal]
Revitalized by the system of Italian head coach Ettore Guidetti and newcomers Jovelyn Fernandez and Lyann De Guzman, Nxled has since presented themselves as formidable foes in the preseason showcase.
For Chery Tiggo head coach Norman Miguel, he believes there is pressure to deliver as they look to live up to their status as perennial contenders.
“Sa’kin and for the rest of the coaching staff, ang mas pina-prioritize namin muna is yung health nila. Yun ang mas importante muna knowing na mas mataas na yung level na nilalaro ng kalaban mo,” Miguel said after their win over Galeries Tower on Saturday.
“Mataas din yung ine-expect mo naman sa team namin kaya physically, talagang challenge sila dito,” he added.
With their opponents out of their control, the Crossovers are eager to focus on things that they can work on — and one of their priority is recovery, especially as they balance returning to their full strength and preparing for the next round.
“Importante na magkaroon muna sila ng maayos na recovery at makapagsimula ng maayos na strength and conditioning para lang makapag-prepare kami nang maayos," Miguel said.
"Yung skills and everything, ginagawa na namin yan pero siyempre yung katawan din muna ng mga players,” he added.
Despite being cautious of their foes, there is still a lot of things to be happy about for Miguel — especially when it came to their errors when they faced Galeries Tower.
After falling in back-to-back losses to end the pool phase due to their own undoing, Miguel is happy to move back in right direction.
“Yung 14 errors na yun, masaya na ko dun kasi yung last na errors namin, 29. Nung naglaro kami sa ZUS, we gave away more than one set ng mistakes na nakatulong talaga sa ZUS manalo. Lagi ko naman silang nire-remind na less mistakes, less errors, mas malaki yung chance of getting the game,” said Miguel.
“Masaya kami na na-minimize yung errors. Sana coming into the quarterfinals, mas malinis pa yung maging kilos namin,” he continued.
Chery Tiggo faces off against Nxled on Saturday, August 9, at the PhilSports Arena.