Underachieving Crossovers tap Miguel in bid to turn things around next season
Chery Tiggo wants to reach the next level in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL). And it has just appointed a coach that wants to personally do the same.
Norman Miguel, the architect behind National University’s triumphant Season 86 campaign in the UAAP, has been appointed as the new Crossovers coach, taking the reins from the seasoned Kungfu Reyes, as he tries to lead Chery Tiggo to a second PVL championship.
This, while also testing how far he can go on this stage.
“It’s about time that I get to test my skills on this level,” Miguel said in a statement released by the team on Tuesday. “I’m also doing this for my career, to explore the pro ranks and I am honored that Chery Tiggo gave me a call.”
Reyes, who is also the coach of University of Santo Tomas, the side that Miguel’s Lady Bulldogs swept in the finals, will slide down to an assistant after a fruitless one-season stint in charge.
“We would like to welcome coach Norman to the team,” Reyes said in the same statement. “The experience he brings will be very valuable to the team.”
Chery Tiggo has a core led by Eya Laure, but it finished a badly beaten fifth in the Reinforced Conference ruled by Creamline. As a result, the Crossovers failed to advance and play in the Invitational Conference where the Cool Smashers completed the league’s first Grand Slam.
The Crossovers last won a title in 2021, when they ruled the Open Conference championship under Aaron Velez.
Incidentally, it was Velez who convinced Miguel to give head coaching in the pro ranks a try.
“Coach Norman is a champion tactician, and with the assistance of coach Kungfu, the help of our reputable coaches, and the passion of our determined players, we are gearing up and refueling towards attaining our goal,” Velez said. INQ
