The Chery Tiggo Crossovers have made a significant change in leadership as they signed former UAAP champion tactician Norman Miguel to be their new head coach for the 2024/25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season. This announcement has stirred excitement within the Philippine volleyball community, as Miguel brings a wealth of experience and success to one of the most popular volleyball leagues in the country.
COACH NORMAN’S AT THE WHEEL 🚘
— CHERY Tiggo Crossovers (@CheryCrossovers) September 17, 2024
Let’s all welcome Coach Norman Miguel to the CHERY fam! The champion tactician joins us for the 2024-25 PVL season, with Kungfu Reyes staying along for the ride as our assistant coach.#EngineStartCHERY #CHERYonTOP #PVL2024 pic.twitter.com/P5U7fhbqfc
The 2024/25 PVL season is set to begin in November, and expectations are high for the Chery Tiggo Crossovers after their performance in the previous season. The official announcement was made on Tuesday, September 17, through various social media platforms, accompanied by a statement that read: “Coach Norman’s at the wheel. Let’s all welcome coach Norman Miguel to the Chery family! The champion tactician joins us for the 2024/25 PVL season, with Kungfu Reyes along for the ride as our assistant coach.”
While Miguel will now hold the reins as head coach, Kungfu Reyes, the former head coach, will continue with the franchise as the assistant coach. Reyes also remains the head coach of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) women’s volleyball team in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), a dual role that allows him to stay deeply involved in the sport he loves.
Norman Miguel is no stranger to volleyball success. His most recent achievement was leading the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs to the UAAP Season 86 Women’s Volleyball championship, a feat that demonstrated his tactical acumen and leadership abilities. His transition to the professional ranks in the PVL marks an exciting new chapter in his career.
In an interview after his appointment, Miguel expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead. "Actually, I was focused on another job that was still related to volleyball, and then one day, Coach Aaron Velez called me. I thought, why not give it a try? This time it’s more challenging because it’s a professional league, right? For me, it’s about time to test my skills and see how far I can go at this level. It’s also an opportunity to explore my career, to see what it’s like coaching a professional team. I feel honored that Chery called me."
The opportunity to lead a professional team in the most competitive volleyball league in the Philippines presents a new set of challenges for Miguel, but it’s clear that he’s ready to embrace the role with confidence. His time with the NU Lady Bulldogs showed his ability to develop young talents and create winning strategies, and Chery Tiggo hopes that he can translate that success into the professional league.
Despite stepping down from the head coach role, Kungfu Reyes remains a key figure within the Chery Tiggo Crossovers organization. Reyes has been with the team through its ups and downs, and his decision to take on the role of assistant coach demonstrates his continued commitment to the success of the franchise.
Reyes is optimistic about the team’s future under Miguel's leadership and is confident that this change will propel the Crossovers to new heights. “As a champion tactician from National University, the experience he brings to the team is a big deal. Luckily, we got coach Norman, who can give his full time and attention to the team, and that’s a huge advantage for the upcoming All-Filipino Conference. My goal this time is to be his assistant coach. That’s where I came from before, and I will help guide the team alongside him. He’s very much welcome with us,” Reyes stated.
This new dynamic between Miguel and Reyes could be key to Chery Tiggo’s success. The two coaches bring complementary strengths to the table—Miguel’s championship experience at the collegiate level and Reyes’s deep familiarity with the PVL and Chery Tiggo’s roster.
The Chery Tiggo Crossovers are coming off a challenging season in the PVL. In the recently concluded PVL Reinforced Conference, the team struggled to find its rhythm and ultimately finished fifth, failing to qualify for the quarterfinals. This result was a disappointment for a team that has previously experienced success in the league, and the hiring of Miguel is seen as a step toward revitalizing the squad.
With the All-Filipino Conference approaching, the pressure will be on Miguel to quickly integrate with the team and instill his tactical philosophy. The PVL is a highly competitive league, and teams are constantly looking for ways to improve. Miguel’s arrival signifies a fresh start for the Crossovers, and fans are eager to see how the team will perform under his leadership.
Miguel’s task will not be easy. The PVL is packed with talented teams and players, and the competition is fierce. However, his track record with NU shows that he knows how to build winning teams. The focus will likely be on improving the team’s consistency, particularly in high-pressure situations, and developing a more cohesive style of play.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this coaching change is the partnership between Norman Miguel and Kungfu Reyes. While Miguel takes the lead as head coach, Reyes will remain deeply involved with the team in his new role as assistant coach. This collaboration could prove to be a winning formula for Chery Tiggo.
Reyes has been instrumental in shaping the team’s identity over the past seasons, and his decision to take a step back to allow Miguel to lead speaks volumes about his belief in Miguel’s abilities. By working together, the two coaches can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the team.
Reyes’s continued involvement with the University of Santo Tomas also allows him to maintain strong connections with the next generation of volleyball talent in the Philippines, which could benefit Chery Tiggo in the future.
As the Chery Tiggo Crossovers prepare for the 2024/25 PVL season, all eyes will be on how the team adapts to this new coaching setup. With Norman Miguel at the helm and Kungfu Reyes providing valuable support, the Crossovers are poised for a fresh start.
The team’s performance in the All-Filipino Conference will serve as an early indicator of whether the coaching change will yield immediate results. Fans are hopeful that the combination of Miguel’s tactical brilliance and Reyes’s knowledge of the team will bring Chery Tiggo back to contention for a championship.
As the Premier Volleyball League season approaches, sign up today to stay updated with all the latest news and developments in Philippine volleyball by visiting OKBET, Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports betting platform. OKBET keeps you informed with sports news from around the world, ensuring you don’t miss a beat when it comes to volleyball and other sports events.
