Norman Miguel takes things in stride as he steers a slightly revamped Chery Tiggo Crossovers core in his PVL head coaching debut for the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.
After winning the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball title with the NU Lady Bulldogs, Norman Miguel will now make his PVL head coaching debut with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference.
During the recent All-Filipino press conference, the champion coach was candid about his adjustment to the pro ranks. Given his players’ skill level, Miguel emphasized the need to outgrow his old habits from mentoring collegiate-level players in the UAAP.
“Parang pinakikiramdaman ko din muna din ‘yung players namin. Kung maganda ba gising nila sa umaga or parang ganyan,” shared Miguel. “Tapos sa technical side, siguro mas more on technique and tactics…Ako personally, hindi na ‘yung as heavy kung ano ‘yung ginagawa sa collegiate training.”
“Kasi siyempre mga pro na ‘yan, napagdaananan na nila ‘yan ng five years ‘di ba nung nasa collegiate level sila. Mas marami na rin sila alam din sa technique and sa tactics and kailangang review lang nang review din,” said Miguel, who spent two full seasons with the Lady Bulldogs in Seasons 81 and 86.
Miguel takes over from now-assistant coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes, who steered the Crossovers into the playoffs throughout the 2024 season. However, Miguel will also inherit a slightly tweaked roster heading into the All-Filipino Conference.
Mainstays EJ Laure and Buding Duremdes left the Crossovers during the offseason, while Eya Laure and the team are working on an amicable separation amid contract disputes.
“It’s heartbreaking and medyo abrupt. Siyempre, bago lang din ako dumating and I was expecting na makikita ko ‘yung [mga umalis]. Pero may mga bagay talaga na hindi natin control of, and since ganun na nga, kailangan lang mag-move on,” Miguel reflected.
On the other hand, libero Jen Nierva returns from her national team commitments, while former PLDT High Speed Hitter Jules Samonte was signed ahead of the All-Filipino wars. Players such as Ara Galang, Shaya Adorador, Alina Bicar, Seth Rodriguez, and Jas Nabor still remain with the Crossovers as well.
Miguel believes that his players have been motivated by their losses to work even harder.
“Nakita ko kasi ‘yung mga players namin na nag-step up sila. Na parang siguro, it’s about time na ‘yung individuality namin ngayon kailangan malabas namin ‘yan. So sa tingin ko, nagkaroon din naman rin tayo para ng advantage din,” he said.
“At this time, talaga magkatrabaho din sila sa isa’t isa and nagtutulungan. And really, you know, put their best foot forward sa bawat training na ginagawa namin.”
Baby steps
Given the Crossovers’ situation, Norman Miguel isn’t stressing to find immediate success in his PVL head coaching debut. For now, it’s a matter of giving it their all as they set up their identity in this soft reboot.
“Wala munang pressure, parang, I think, nagrere-establish kami eh. Kailangan namin pagdaanan ‘yun. Wala naman kami magagawa, hindi naman kami pwede magiiyak dun sa nangyari. We have to move forward. Train everyday, train hard everyday,” Miguel admitted.
Chery Tiggo will open its All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday, November 12 against the Capital1 Solar Spikers at the Philsports Arena in Pasig. As early as now, Miguel believes entering the Final Four will be a good enough start under his leadership.
“Ako ha? Ayoko tumali sa expectation, pero okay na ako makapasok talaga ng Final Four ‘tas trabaho na lang from there…Just the same na ‘yung nangyari sa UAAP na natimingan ‘yung pag-peak,” said Miguel, referring to his Lady Bulldogs’ Round 2 sweep in Season 86. “Sana magawa pa rin, sabi ko nga sa kanila wag niyo i-rush, mahaba ‘yung season natin eh.
“Especially may mga [players] pa rin kami na nagre-rehab. That’s first and foremost, pina-prioritize ko muna ‘yung health and fitness ng mga players. So we’ll take it slow, we’ll get the right timing sa pag-peak namin,” said the champion coach.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.