Imee Hernandez joins Chery Tigo after breakout year in UAAP – rezal404
Imee Hernández. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Imee Hernandez is making her first professional stint with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers ahead of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference in June.
Chery Tiggo on Sunday welcomed the 5-foot-10 middle blocker as the fourth player of their five-woman recruitment coup.
Days after Hernandez turned pro just days after she bid farewell to UST. She is teaming up with the trio of National University Jennifer Nierva, Princess Robles, and Joyme Cagande, who were unveiled by the Crossovers.
The 22-year-old middle blocker made a breakout performance in Season 85 including a career-high 24 points against Ateneo last April to lead UST to the Final Four before getting eliminated by the twice-to-beat and eventual champion La Salle.
Hernandez, who only played two full seasons in the UAAP, will solidify the middle blocker rotation of the Crossovers with Cza Carandang, Roselle Baliton, Seth Rodriguez, Jaycel Delos Reyes, and Jaila Atienza.
Chery Tiggo, who has been making big midseason moves and has one more player to reveal, is raring to reclaim the PVL crown after winning the maiden professional championship in Ilocos Norte two years ago behind the heroics of sisters Jaja Santiago and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
The Crossovers, who missed the semifinals of the 2023 All-Filipino Conference with a 4-4 record in the elimination round, are slated in Pool A for the Invitational Conference with defending champion Creamline, PLDT, Akari, and new team Gerflor.
Pool B is composed of F2 Logistics, Petro Gazz, Cignal, Choco Mucho, and Farm Fresh with the top two teams of each group will advance to the semifinals and playing another round-robin with guest teams from Japan and Australia.
The best two clubs of the semis round will clash in a knockout championship game, while the third and fourth-seed teams will collide for the bronze medal.
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