Chery Tiggo has been on a roll this 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, riding on a three-game winning streak.
One of the main tweaks that the Crossovers did after their shock loss to Farm Fresh in straight sets was elevating setter Alina Bicar to the starting position.
That worked wonders as they stunned Creamline in straight sets, escaped Petro Gazz in five, and downed Nxled in four on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
Against the Crossovers, Bicar was hailed as the Player of the Game with her astounding play of 17 excellent sets and 13 digs.
For head coach Kungfu Reyes, they are just happy that Bicar has made her way back to the taraflex after missing the last two conferences due to a knee injury.
“Little by little. Natiyaga na nga namin siya hintayin nang medyo matagal, ngayon pa kayang nandito na siya?” said Reyes after their 23-25, 25-23, 25-16, 25-20 win over the Chameleons. “Hindi naman kami humihingi ng sobra-sobra, ‘yung tama lang as long as kaya niyang i-deliver.”
“We’re happy kasi nakabalik na siya, and good for her na at least naramdaman niya ulit na ‘Ay, kaya ko na ulit.’”
However, the veteran tactician also laid the plan for Bicar, who is still not at 100-percent.
Reyes shared that the 25-year-old setter still needs to work on a lot of aspects of her game in order to be back on her best shape before the injury.
“Nag-Best Player pero marami pa rin siyang dapat i-compensate, especially ‘yung kabuuan kasi nandoon na siya. Process eh,” said Reyes.“We’re happy kasi nadadala na niya pero marami pa siyang dapat i-improve.”
“‘Yung agility niya, ‘yung consistency ng game, ‘yung polish ng galaw, kung paano siya mag-orchestrate ng atake namin, ‘yung hustle niya sa depensa, ‘yung out-of-system plays. Actually wala pa siya doon sa taas ng reach niya ng block,” he continued.
Bicar also deflected the credit to her teammates for her Player of the Game honors.
Chery Tiggo now holds a 5-2 record for joint-fourth with Petro Gazz and are just half a game behind league-leaders Creamline, Choco Mucho, and PLDT all at 5-1.
“Nag-enjoy lang po kami at nagtulungan with the help of my teammates din, kasi siyempre sila ‘yung pumapalo, ako lang ‘yung nagse-set. Hindi ko ‘to magagawa kung wala rin sila,” said the University of Santo Tomas product.
