Chery Tiggo bolsters roster, signs Laure, Robles, Nierva, Hernandez, and Cagande

Chery Tiggo Crossovers is expected to be a contender in the upcoming PVL season after signing five key players from National University and University of Santo Tomas.


The Crossovers made a major move in the offseason by signing Cess Robles, Jennifer Nierva, and Joyme Cagande from NU, and Eya Laure and Imee Hernandez from UST.

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Despite suffering a right knee injury in the middle of the season, Cess Robles averaged 6.75 points per outing for the Lady Bulldogs. She was named UAAP Season 84 Finals MVP in 2022 for her outstanding performance in leading NU to an undefeated championship run, ending the school's 65-year title drought in women's volleyball.

UAAP Season 84 Best Libero Nierva is expected to strengthen the Crossovers' defense with main libero Buding Duremdes.

Cagande was a backup setter and mentor to Season 84 rookie Best Setter Lams Lamina. She played one conference for the now-defunct club BaliPure in 2018.

Laure, one of the most sought-after recruits from the UAAP, had prior experience playing for the Crossovers (formerly known as Foton) in the 2019 Philippine SuperLiga. She topped the scoring charts in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament Season 84 and 85.

Middle blocker Hernandez had a breakout season in UAAP Season 85, averaging 11.4 points per game. She had a career-high 24 points against Ateneo in April, which helped UST reach the Final Four. However, they were eliminated by the twice-to-beat and eventual champion La Salle.

Chery Tiggo is looking to return to the playoffs in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, which starts on June 29, with the help of Laure, Robles, Nierva, Hernandez, and Cagande.