Nearly two months after her departure from the Creamline Cool Smashers, three-time Best Middle Blocker Risa Sato has officially joined the Chery Tiggo Crossovers for the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
The Crossovers announced Sato’s addition via social media on Wednesday afternoon, just days before the league resumes action following the holiday break.
Sato, who was not included in Creamline’s lineup for the ongoing All-Filipino tournament, will suit up for Chery Tiggo in their next game against Petro Gazz on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.
The 5-foot-9 middle blocker brings her wealth of experience to a Chery Tiggo squad currently in playoff contention with a 4-2 record, sitting in fourth place. Sato will bolster the Crossovers’ already formidable middle blocker rotation, which features Aby Maraño, Pauline Gaston, Czarina Carandang, and Seth Rodriguez.
Her move marks a new chapter in an already decorated PVL career. Sato requested her release from the Cool Smashers on November 8, following a historic year in which Creamline secured the league’s first-ever Grand Slam.
The Cool Smashers approved her request for an early contract termination, with her deal initially set to expire in December.
Sato leaves behind a remarkable legacy with Creamline, having been an integral part of their dominance over the past six years. She played in 13 conferences and won 10 of her 11 championships with the squad, cementing her status as one of the league’s most consistent and reliable middle blockers.
