Alina Bicar took over the starting setter role and kept Chery Tiggo alive in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, Tuesday afternoon.
Bicar missed the Crossovers' first two matches in the tournament after being placed in the league's health and safety protocols. In her first start, she produced 13 excellent sets to go along with 11 excellent digs and five points to lead Chery Tiggo to its first win, 25-22, 25-14, 25-21 against Petro Gazz.
"Syempre super happy kasi first of all, nakabalik na nga kami mag-laro tapos ganito pa yung nangyari," said Bicar after the win. "Sabi nila coach kahit sinong ipasok mag-laro lang, and ayun, nag-laro lang kami kung ano yung tini-training namin."
It has been a challenging conference for the Crossovers, as they missed five key players to start the tournament.
EJ Laure, Justine Dorog, and Buding Duremdes were also sidelined due to health and safety protocols just like Bicar while Dindin Santiago-Manabat suffered a left ankle sprain prior to the tournament.
The team eventually dropped to 0-3 - a loss away from elimination.
But in the team's match against the Angels at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex, the team finally managed to field all four players except Santiago-Manabat, who is still recovering. Dorog, Bicar, and Laure all made their return in the team's previous match while Duremdes suited up for the first time.
With the steam slowly gaining steam - and members - Bicar hopes that they can turn things around in the coming games,
"Nagsisimula na kami ngayon na yun nga, nakumpleto na kami and babawi kami sa mga susunod naming games," said Bicar.
"Nakaka-overwhelm siya pero 'di pa nagtatapos dito ang lahat, lalaban pa rin kami hanggang dulo.
