Ara Galang, Aby Maraño bring veteran smarts to Chery Tiggo

Ara Galang and Aby Maraño are welcomed by Chery Tiggo coaches. –HANDOUT PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ara Galang and Aby Maraño offer to leave everything on the floor when they play for their new team, Chery Tiggo, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.

The Crossovers on Tuesday solidify their roster after signing seasoned players Maraño and Galang, who have spent their club volleyball careers with  F2 Logistics since 2016 before the team disbanded last December to focus on grassroots.

Star outside spiker Galang, who will be playing outside coach Ramil De Jesus’ system for the first time since 2011, is eager to give her all as she opens a new chapter in her pro career as a Crossover.

“All-out naman ako lagi, so ibibigay ko ‘yung best ko every training, every game, every day. Gagawin ko lang lahat ng makakaya ko para makacontribute at makatulong sa team,” said Galang.

Meanwhile, expect Maraño to bring her ‘beast mode’ attitude to the young Crossovers as she and Galang team up with her long-time Philippine national volleyball teammate Mylene Paat as well as Eya and EJ Laure, Jasmine Nabor, Cess Robles, Pauline Gaston, Shaya Adorador, Imee Hernandez, and Jennifer Nierva.

“They’ve known me as a player with a very big heart. Very passionate, vocal, and a leader, so I want them to expect that from me. Going to Chery Tiggo, dadalhin ko lahat ‘yun,” said Maraño.

The co-UAAP Season 75 Most Valuable Players are grateful for Chery Tiggo for becoming their new home after F2’s heartbreaking disbandment to end the year. Both stars hope their fans continue to support them as Crossovers.

“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng suporta ninyo and sa pagmamahal, and I hope magkita-kita’t magsama-sama pa tayo sa journey ko dito sa Chery. Sa Chery fans, excited akong ma-meet kayo and sana suportahan niyo ako and kaming lahat para sa magandang future natin,” said Galang.

“Maraming salamat sa lahat ng panahon na sinuportahan kami with our last team. We hope na sabayan nila kami at samahan kami sa new journey namin with Chery. To all the Chery Tiggo fans, excited kami para sa inyong mainit na pagtanggap. Sana po ay makuha natin ‘yung goal natin. We will try our best and work hard to give you a really, really great fight. Ipaglalaban natin ang Chery,” Maraño added.

The Crossovers hope the experience and winning attitude of Galang and Maraño will help them return to the finals, three years after ruling the maiden pro season in the 2021 bubble in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.

Chery Tiggo only made it to the semifinals twice since then, both in the season-ending conferences of 2022 and 2023.