STA. ROSA, Laguna — With their tournament life on the line, Chery Tiggo head coach Clarence Esteban made the decision to pull Jasmine Nabor from the starting unit and plug Alina Bicar against Petro Gazz, Thursday.
And Bicar, who just returned to line-up last Saturday after missing the first two games due to health and safety protocols, gladly stepped up to the challenge.
The former University of Sto. Tomas playmaker steered the Crossovers to their first-ever victory in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference. More importantly, she helped her team stay alive in the playoff hunt.
“Siyempre super happy kasi first of all, nakabalik na nga kami mag-laro tapos ganito pa yung nangyari,” said the 23-year-old Bicar after the win.
“Sabi nila coach kahit sinong ipasok mag-laro lang, and ayun, nag-laro lang kami kung ano yung tini-training namin,” she added.
Bicar produced four double-digit scorers in the contest, delivering 13 excellent sets to go along with 11 excellent digs and five points in the 25-22, 25-14, 25-21 victory against the Angels.
Chery Tiggo started the tournament without Bicar, EJ Laure, Justine Dorog, Buding Duremdes, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat. The first four were sidelined due to health and safety protocols while Santiago-Manabat sprained her left ankle prior the the conference.
Bicar, Dorog, and Laure missed two games while Duremded only made her debut against Petro Gazz.
With the quintet out, the Crossovers struggled mightily, losing to Choco Mucho, PLDT, and Cignal all in straight sets.
Now with their first win, Bicar said that Chery Tiggo is not stopping just yet as they are dead-set on making it into the second round.
“Nagsisimula na kami ngayon na yun nga, nakumpleto na kami and babawi kami sa mga susunod naming games,” said Bicar.
“Nakaka-overwhelm siya pero ‘di pa nagtatapos dito ang lahat, lalaban pa rin kami hanggang dulo.”
