When the Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers rolled into the Premier Volleyball League in 2021, they didn’t just join the competition—they charged straight into history.
In the very season the PVL shifted into its professional era, the Crossovers became the league’s first-ever professional champions, etching their name into history as trailblazers who would forever mark the beginning of a new era in Philippine volleyball.
From the very beginning, they carried themselves like a franchise built for long roads and steep climbs. Their ascent felt like witnessing a brand-new engine roar to life.
But even the most finely tuned engines eventually run their last mile.
After five years of navigating every twist and turn of the Premier Volleyball League, Chery Tiggo shifted into park on Tuesday afternoon, closing a storied chapter that played a crucial role in the rise of professional volleyball in the Philippines.
PVL and Sports Vision President Ricky Palou expressed his utmost gratitude to the Crossovers franchise, led by team owner Rommel Sytin, for their contributions not only to the league but to Philippine volleyball as a whole.
“The Chery Tiggo EV Crossovers will always be remembered as the first professional champions in PVL history, a team that set the standard for volleyball in the Philippines,” Palou said.
“Alam niyo naman, may times na nawawalan sila ng magagaling na player. Pero kahit ganun, they always find a way to stay competitive, ‘di ba? Talagang lumalaban sila every conference,” he continued.
“So kami sa PVL, we are forever grateful for the professionalism, dedication, and passion they brought to the league.”
Even during difficult seasons when results didn’t match expectations, Chery Tiggo kept pushing forward. They rebuilt, retooled, and recalibrated, leaving a legacy that shows every journey—even the toughest ones—adds something to the sport’s landscape.
Throughout their journey, the Crossovers’ garage has housed some of the finest talents Philippine volleyball has ever produced.
From sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, to Mylene Paat who helped bridge the gap to a new era alongside Aby Maraño and Ara Galang, and to rising stars Eya Laure and Jennifer Nierva, the Crossovers lineup over the years showcased a blend of experience and emerging talent.
Other notable talents who donned the Chery Tiggo jersey include Tina Salak, Maika Ortiz, Jasmine Nabor, Buding Duremdes, EJ Laure, Shaya Adorador, Risa Sato, Pauline Gaston, Cess Robles, Imee Hernandez, Anggela Nunag, and Gyzelle Sy.
They were a team built on grit and long mileage, often enduring potholes—injuries, lineup changes, the departure of big names—yet refusing to stall.
Season after season, the Crossovers kept rolling, kept competing, kept showing up.
And now, with their disbandment after five meaningful years, the PVL loses not just a team but one of its original pillars in the professional era. A franchise that helped stabilize the league at a critical turning point. A franchise that taught newer teams what integrity, patience, and commitment look like.
Their drive ends here, but their story does not.
And as Chery Tiggo rides into the sunset, their name will always hold a place in history as the PVL’s first professional champions.
