From historic champions to years of mid-table finishes, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers’ path back to the PVL Finals has been a story of patience and reinvention.
Since lifting the league’s first-ever professional title in 2021, the Crossovers endured roster shake-ups, coaching changes, and seasons that fell short of expectations.
But with a retooled lineup, fresh rookie talent, and a renewed team-first system, Chery Tiggo fought its way through the long route of the PVL on Tour playoffs to end a three-year podium drought.
Here’s a look at the Crossovers’ journey back to the championship stage.
2021 Open Conference (Champions)
In the PVL’s first season as a professional league, the Chery Tiggo Crossovers etched their name in history by winning the 2021 Open Conference inside the Bacarra, Ilocos Norte bubble.
Led by Jaja and Dindin Santiago, they stunned the powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers in a dramatic best-of-three finals, rallying from an opening loss to win Games 2 and 3.
In the do-or-die decider, the Crossovers stormed back from two sets down to complete a sensational five-set comeback and claim the country’s first professional volleyball championship.
Post-Championship struggles
The title defense in 2022 proved difficult.
Santiago left for an overseas stint, injuries piled up, and Chery Tiggo failed to return to the podium despite the MVP campaign of Mylene Paat.
Their best finish that year was fourth place in the Reinforced Conference, as the Crossovers settled into the middle of the pack.
That inconsistency carried into 2023.
The Crossovers placed 5th in the All-Filipino Conference, slumped to 8th in the Invitational Conference, and ended the season with another fourth-place finish in the Second All-Filipino.
A bright spot came with the arrival of UST standout Eya Laure, who made an immediate impact and earned 1st Best Outside Spiker honors in her lone full conference with the team.
Eya Laure’s departure
Off the court, major changes were brewing.
After just one year with Chery Tiggo, Laure departed the team in October 2024, securing a contract buyout.
[ALSO READ: Potential crossover: Which PVL teams are most likely to get Eya Laure?]
Her exit, along with her sister EJ Laure and libero Buding Duremdes, dealt a blow to Chery Tiggo’s offensive arsenal.
Additionally, the Crossovers made a coaching change, appointing former NU Lady Bulldogs mentor Norman Miguel as the new head coach, replacing Kungfu Reyes at the helm.
Promising additions in 2025 PVL Draft
In need of some firepower, the Crossovers got a youthful infusion heading into the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft, selecting Jyne Soreño, Erika Deloria, Renee Peñafiel, and Reyann Cañete.
Soreño, a lefty spiker from La Salle, was the 8th overall pick, while Deloria, an outside hitter from Enderun College, was taken 20th, UST reserve Peñafiel was picked 26th, and Cañete was selected 29th overall.
[ALSO READ: Did Chery Tiggo strike gold in 2025 PVL Rookie Draft? Head coach Norman Miguel believes so]
2025 PVL on Tour (Finals-bound)
Embracing the inaugural PVL on Tour as a chance to sharpen chemistry under Miguel’s system, Chery Tiggo’s revamped roster began to find its rhythm, with the rookies making an early splash. A 3–2 finish in the group stage, however, meant taking the longer playoff route after back-to-back losses closed out the preliminaries.
In the knockout play-in, the Crossovers swept the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25–23, 25–22, 25–21, then followed it up with a dominant quarterfinal win over the Nxled Chameleons, 25–17, 25–15, 25–20, to storm into the Final Four.
Nearly four years after their championship run, Chery Tiggo sealed a return to the finals by toppling the Cignal HD Spikers in the semifinals, 25–17, 16–25, 25–21, 25–23.
Ara Galang capped her 15-point night with the match-winning kill, while setter Jasmine Nabor, one of only three holdovers from the 2021 title team, orchestrated a balanced attack with 21 excellent sets.
[ALSO READ: Ara Galang relishes long-awaited first PVL Finals stint as Chery Tiggo heads to championship stage]
The victory ended a three-year, nine-conference podium drought and reestablished Chery Tiggo as a serious contender.
The PVL on Tour Finals will now see the Crossovers battle the PLDT High Speed Hitters in a winner-take-all clash set for Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.