PVL: Another chance for Chery Tiggo to solve ‘good’ predicament

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

Kung Fu Reyes is faced with a problem most coaches want, and with a rather light assignment up in their Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference schedule, the outspoken coach will have the chance to see who deserves playing time the most.

“It’s a good problem,” Reyes said when reminded of the many outside hitters he has in his Chery Tiggo team that will be shooting for a second straight win on Saturday when it battles another newcomer in Strong Group at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“It’s gives me headaches sometimes,” Reyes continued in Filipino. “But at least we can gauge who is always playing better, who trains better and who is in better health.”

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

Ara Galang and Aby Maraño were added in the preseason, and together with Mylene Paat, Cza Carandang, Cess Robles, Pauline Gaston, Shaya Adorado and the Laure sisters, EJ and Eya, Reyes certainly has an overflow of talent in that position.

If anything, the “good problem” that Reyes has can certainly ease a lot of the load off the shoulders of Eya Laure, the former Santo Tomas ace in the UAAP who has turned out to be the top gun of the Crossovers ever since coming over last season.

And against the Athletics in the 2 p.m. game, all of the players can show Reyes who can be most effective, with Reyes, in turn, having the chance to shuffle his wards to get a better idea on who plays best with whom.

READ: PVL: Ara Galang repays Chery Tiggo trust with rousing debut

Meanwhile, defending champion Creamline makes its much-awaited debut when it clashes with Farm Fresh at 6 p.m. even as Cignal also makes its first appearance in the season-opening conference against Akari in the 4 p.m. contest.

The Cool Smashers are shooting to win this tournament for the third straight time in two seasons, and they will again be spearheaded by a fearsome trio of scorers in Tots Carlos, Jema Galanza and the seasoned Alyssa Valdez.

Creamline also added Bea de Leon and libero Denden Revilla.

The Foxies, though, are ready to put up a strong fight behind Trisha Tubu and new acquisitions Caitlyn Viray and Elaine Kasilag.