FILE–Cha Cruz-Behag. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Cha Cruz-Behag is returning to the PVL but this time, she will be embracing a new role as an assistant coach for the Petro Gazz Angels in their “three-peat” bid in the Reinforced Conference, which opens on July 16 at Philsports Arena.
A year after her return to the PVL but followed by F2 Logistics’ disbandment last December, Behag has found her way back to the pros with a new team but in a different capacity.
“A new Angel on the sideline that will help the team reach new heights. Welcome, Assistant Coach Cha Cruz-Behag,” Petro Gazz announced on Tuesday.
Behag, dubbed as “Miss Everything” with her do-it-all talent as a spiker for La Salle and previous club stints, will be helping Japanese coach Koji Tsuzurabara on his mission to deliver the Angels’ third straight Reinforced Conference crown.
The veteran outside spiker came out of a five-year hiatus in last year’s first All-Filipino Conference but sat out in the next two tournaments, announcing her second pregnancy.
READ: PVL: Cha Cruz-Behag, back after four years, savors triumphant return
The 36-year-old Behag, whose mother club F2 Logistics bid farewell to the pro volleyball scene last December, is joining a team close to her family as her sister Cienne Cruz played as libero from 2018 to last year, while Camille served as team manager in the past PVL seasons.
Behag will be handling reigning All-Filipino MVP Brooke Van Sickle, Jonah Sabete, Nicole Tiamzon, Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Djanel Cheng, MJ Phillips, and Remy Palma as well as her ex-La Salle teammate Chie Saet and fellow former Cargo Movers Myla Pablo, Mich Morente, Joy Dacoron, and Ethan Arce.
Petro Gazz has yet to announce its import but it won the last two Reinforced Conferences in 2019 with Wilma Salas and the late Janisa Johnson before successfully defending its throne two years ago with Lindsey Vander-Weide, beating Cignal in the finals.
The Angels, who finished with a bronze medal in the All-Filipino Conference, are grouped in Pool B with Choco Mucho, Cignal, Akari, Capital1, and ZUS Coffee.
Petro Gazz opens its ‘three-peat’ campaign against ZUS Coffee, which will pick Thea Gagate at No.1 in the Rookie Draft and bring Japanese spiker Asaka Tamaru, on July 18 at Philsports Arena.