Aby Maraño and the rest of Chery Tiggo Crossovers. Photo from her Instagram account (@abymarano)

MANILA – Aby Maraño, one of the newest Crossovers, has taken on the challenge of claiming the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Champions League crown.

Maraño was a former member of now-defunct F2 Logistics Cargo Movers before joining the Chery Tiggo Crossovers earlier this year.

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With her newfound home, Maraño said she wants nothing less but the PNVF title to kickstart 2024.

“To be the champions," Maraño said when asked what was her goal in the tourney's official press launch on Friday at the Philippine Sports Commission conference room in the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Malate, Manila.

“I and my new team won’t allow our hardship and dedication in training to go waste.”

Maraño comes into the tournament with plenty of experience as a former two-time UAAP MVP (Seasons 74 and 75) and a former captain of the De La Salle Lady Spikers—leading the collegiate squad to multiple championships and several other podium finishes.

She also won the PNVF Champions League for Women in 2021 and had multiple golden finishes in the Philippine SuperLiga with her former squad, F2 Logistics.

In last year's PVL Second All-Filipino Conference, Maraño was no. 40 in the league's scoring list, with 70 points on 55 kills, seven blocks, and eight service aces.

Alongside Maraño are co-stars Ara Galang, former PVL MVP Mylene Paat, and recent recipient of the PVL Best Open Hitter award Eya Laure.

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Also present at the press conference were Rem Palma of Petro Gazz, defending champion College of Saint Benilde, Cignal HD, and the Philippine Army.

“It’s a wide-open field as all teams vow to wage strong fights,” said secretary-general Donald Caringal of the third edition of the Champions League.

“With a balanced cast of seasoned pro clubs, new-look squads, and collegiate teams, expect the matches to be a toss-up for the prestigious title,” he added.

The tournament, also the first volleyball action of 2024, will commence on Sunday with a doubleheader between the Philippine Army and Petro Gazz at 3:30 p.m., and Chery Tiggo versus Cignal at 6 p.m.

On the men's side, reigning champion Cignal HD is heavily favored in an eight-team contest that starts on February 11.

The tourney will have the Top 4 teams battling in the knockout semis after the single-round eliminations.

Games will be aired live on One Sports and One Sports+ and will be live-streamed on Pilipinas Live and on a delayed basis on Cignal.