Chery Tiggo is moving on just fine in the post-Dindin Santiago-Manabat era.
In fact, her departure opened an opportunity for other Crossovers to step up and contribute to the club’s cause.
Shaya Adorador took advantage of getting elevated back in the starting rotation after delivering an impressive outing in Chery Tiggo’s opening day win in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The open spiker dropped a game-high 16 points off a 15-of-32 attacking clip to lead the Crossovers to a 27-25, 25-19, 25-22, sweep of Cignal Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The University of the East product was also active on the defensive end as she tallied 11 digs and five excellent receptions in an all-around performance.
“We’re just doing our part. We’re really looking at what we need to improve on,” Adorador, whose floor defense during Game 3 of the 2021 PVL Open Conference finals against Creamline keyed in Chery Tiggo’s title conquest, said.
“About our positions, it’s for our coaches to decide. We just play as one, that’s our goal. One game at a time.”
Manabat parted ways with the Crossovers after her contract expired at the end of December last year, closing a six-season stint with the Crossovers.
The 6-foot-2 flexible winger transferred to Akari.
“Ate Dindin really played a huge role inside the court as our leader, as our senior. But right now, we also need to look for someone who will play that role,” Adorador said.
Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player Mylene Paat also stepped up for Chery Tiggo with 15 points including 13 from attacks, EJ Laure got 13 while middles Roselle Balliton and Cza Carandang added nine and eight points, respectively.
“There’s no pressure on us to replace Ate Dindin. You can never replace a player like Ate Dindin. But right now, whoever is here, we must work hard as a team,” Adorador said.
Chery Tiggo will face Army on Saturday.
“We’ll bring the good things that we did in this game (against Cignal) to our next game. We have to enjoy the game and celebrate each point won,” Adorador said. “One game at a time. Focus on every game whoever we face.”
