FILE–Former NU Lady Bulldogs player Cess Robles–UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cess Robles has joined her National University teammates Jennifer Nierva and Joyme Cagande in Chery Tiggo ahead of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
The Crossovers on Saturday evening unveiled Robles as part of their five-woman recruitment coup.
Robles is making her professional debut after playing four seasons in the UAAP including back-to-back Finals appearances in the last two years.
The Nazareth School product emerged as the Season 84 Finals MVP when the Lady Bulldogs completed a historic sweep of last year’s UAAP to end a 65-year title drought.
Robles had a scoring dip in Season 85 due to a minor knee injury with rookie Vange Alinsug being promoted to a starter for NU, which failed to defend its title and got swept by La Salle in the UAAP Finals.
The outside hitter beefs up the wing spiker rotation of Chery Tiggo as she teams up with team captain Mylene Paat, Shaya Adorador, EJ Laure, and Pauline Gaston.
Robles, Nierva, and Cagande are reuniting with former Nazareth School assistant coach Aaron Velez, who calls the shots for Chery Tiggo as head coach and team manager.
The key cogs of the Lady Bulldogs’ two consecutive Finals appearances in the UAAP will also bolster Chery Tiggo, which missed the semifinals of the 2023 All-Filipino Conference with a 4-4 record in the elimination round.
Chery Tiggo is slated in Pool A for the Invitational Conference with defending champion Creamline, PLDT, Akari, and Gerflor.
Pool B is composed of F2 Logistics, Petro Gazz, Cignal, Choco Mucho, and Farm Fresh with the top two teams of each group will advance to the semifinals and playing another round-robin with guest teams from Japan and Australia.
The best two clubs of the semis round will clash in a knockout championship game, while the third and fourth-seed teams will collide for the bronze medal.