Returning Chery Tiggo coach Aaron Velez aims to make most of second chance

MANILA, Philippines – Coach Aaron Velez is determined to slay the ghosts of the past as he vows not to waste the second chance given to him by Chery Tiggo in the 2023 All-Filipino Premier Volleyball League Conference.

From the Crossovers steering wheel to the first PVL championship in the 2021 Ilocos Norte Open Conference bubble, Velez failed to defend his throne and fell to eighth place in the opening tournament of the season last year.

After an underwhelming finish, Velez was given a different role as team manager and replaced by coach Clarence Esteban. But two conferences later, the former was reinstated as head coach and he has no plans to disappoint the management again.

“[Gagamitin ko] Learn from my experience [Open] Last year’s conference. There are ghosts to fight. But at the same time, I’m happy to say that I’m working on it and with the help of the team, I think I’ll be able to do the job,” said the coach back in a video conference with reporters.

(I will use the learning from my experience at the Open Conference last year. There are ghosts that I have to kill but at the same time, I am happy that I am working with the help of the team and myself. I think I will be able to do my job, this time.)

With the franchise giving him two roles, Velez, who is also the team’s manager, admits the team has high expectations, but the pressure he feels only makes him better.

“Of course, they expect me to show what I can do as a coach. Also, the trust and confidence in me to handle the two roles given to me, that of being the team manager and head coach,” Velez said in Filipino. “It’s a blessing to see that he appreciates my ability and how I can work and act.”

“I don’t want to leave management with the confidence and belief that I can still redeem myself,” he said.

Chery Tiggo, led by MVP Mylene Paat, ended the drought of the semifinals of two tournaments in the 2022 Reinforced Conference under Esteban, who was a defensive team with Best Libero Buding Duremdes, spikers, and even imported Jelena Cvijovic who displayed an outstanding floor defense. as well as middle blockers Cza Carandang and Roselle Baliton take care of the front line.

Although the Crossovers returned to the semis, they lost all their games in the round, wound up in fourth place in the conference at the end of the season.

Velez believes that the team needs to focus on offense in order to surpass its previous finish and regain its lost glory in the All-Filipino, which starts on February 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“The challenge now is to start strong and keep that momentum until the end. We have proven that we have defensive skills. But this time, I want them to find their abilities offensively,” said long-time coach Chery Tiggo, who has been with the team since 2018. Last conference, our team was all about defense. We lacked offensive firepower. If we would have been able to do a better offense, I think we would have had a better result.

Chery Tiggo opened the campaign against the Reinforced Conference runner-up Cignal February 7 at the Philsports Arena, began life without Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who moved to Akari.

The loss of Manabat, who has been a team for the past six years, is a big blow for the Crossovers. But Velez challenged Paat, Shaya Adorador, EJ Laure, France Ronquillo, and May Luna as well as newcomer Pauline Gaston to step up.

“Of course, who doesn’t want Dindin Santiago to join the team? He is a one-of-a-kind spiker, who can create his own offense for the team,” said the coach. “But for certain reasons, this is more of a challenge for other players because they will have the opportunity to build their own position and their name.”

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