Complacency has been an issue for Chery Tiggo in the early stages of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
The good news is that, despite the issues, the Crossovers have still managed to secure three wins against a single loss in their first four games.
Chery Tiggo dominated the lowly Gerflor in the first two sets, winning 25-8 and 25-12, but the Defenders then found their groove in the third set. Fortunately, the Crossovers found a way to close it out in straight sets with a 25-20 clincher on Tuesday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“Maganda yung pinakita nila. Like yung nasabi nila, yun talagang kailangan namin ma-point out pa for our succeeding games, na we cannot be complacent, kahit maganda yung takbo namin,” said head coach Aaron Velez after the 71-minute match.
“Anything can actually change in the blink of an eye, yung momentum can change. I think we have to be aware of that,” he continued.
The only loss the Crossovers suffered came at the hands of the surging Akari on October 24, with a 20-25, 25-18, 22-25, 20-25 defeat.
The Chargers, who had never placed higher than eighth in their first three conferences, have proven to be a different squad this time with an identical 3-1 record, just like Chery Tiggo.
After that stunner, Velez gathered his players and told them that it was just one loss, and they needed to move forward while also emphasizing the importance of playing the game the right way.
“We just have to be proactive sa nangyayari kasi once we dwell on that, masyado pang mahaba yung liga, pero at the same time, kailangan namin magkaroon ng sense of urgency,” said Velez.
“Every point, every set counts, so I think yun yung naging mindset namin, na bumalik lang kami sa trabaho and patuloy namin dapat yung proseso na we have to be matured right away.”
Without their leader, Mylene Paat, on the court, the Crossovers need to expedite their maturity with the elimination round already nearing its halfway point.
Chery Tiggo will face another test on Saturday against the undefeated Petro Gazz at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
