PVL: Jasmine Nabor, with confidence back, boosts Chery Tiggo

Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Being away with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers for one tournament helped Jasmine Nabor grow as a setter and regain her confidence in the second 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

Nabor has been the stabilizer of the Crossovers’ 2-0 start capped by her stellar performance of 14 excellent sets and seven points built on three blocks, two aces, and two attacks to sweep the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 25-15, 25-21, on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

The veteran playmaker attributed her impressive showing to her one-conference stint with the defunct Foton Tornadoes last Invitationals.

“Playing for Foton was a big help for me,” said Nabor, who was shipped to sister team Foton when Chery Tiggo decided to form another squad in the midseason.

“It boosted my morale and brought back my confidence. It also feels nice that I’m back with Chery so I can apply all the learnings I got from Foton,” she added.

Jasmine Nabor, left, and EJ Laure during Chery Tiggo’s game against Galeries in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Nabor and spiker Shaya Adorador returned to the Crossovers in time for the season-ending tournament after Foton pulled out in the PVL.

Chery Tiggo coach, Aaron Velez, who was also Foton’s team manager, said bringing back the setter out of National University was part of the plan.

“Everything was well-planned; our players know we don’t just leave them hanging or let them go. It’s all designed,” Velez said in Filipino. “It wasn’t just about sending players to any team.  It was all about what they could gain from the experience, regardless of the coach or teammates they were playing with. They have to carry it on because this is their career.”

The 25-year-old setter, who was the main playmaker when Chery Tiggo won its maiden PVL crown two years ago, relished her reunion with her coach and teammates including the newcomers led by Eya Laure, Cess Robles, Imee Hernandez, Joyme Cagande, and Jen Nierva.

“It feels good because this is also a way for me to continue improving and bringing up my confidence. All of our coach wants us to do also came out in the past two games,” Nabor said.

Nabor seeks to keep Chery Tiggo’s momentum going when it battles Akari (1-1) on Tuesday at Ynares Center Antipolo.