Cargo Movers tap young guns
Also joining F2 Logistics is a young and energetic opposite spiker in Far Eastern University product Jovelyn Fernandez
F2 Logistics signed three decorated collegiate stars led by De La Salle University standouts Jolina de la Cruz and Mars Alba to shore up its roster for the coming Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference next month.
Not to be outshone by other clubs in the arms race, the Cargo Movers made their move ahead of the mid-season tournament set to begin on 29 June by landing key additions who perfectly fit the system of head coach Regine Diego.
Also joining F2 Logistics is a young and energetic opposite spiker in Far Eastern University product Jovelyn Fernandez.
The club, which is looking for its breakthrough crown since joining the country’s first and only professional league last year, formally introduced its newest acquisitions on Sunday evening through its social media account.
De la Cruz and Alba, who played key roles in helping the Lady Spikers end a five-year title drought in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament, will play under a familiar system built by La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus.
The duo will join other former Lady Spikers in Kim Kianna Dy, setter Kim Fajardo, Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Dawn Macandili-Catindig, Majoy Baron and Cha Cruz-Behag.
UAAP Season 85 1st Best Open Spiker De la Cruz and Fernandez, who was named Best Opposite Hitter in her last year with FEU, would further deepen the Cargo Movers rotation at the wing already bursting with talented veterans in Myla Pablo, Galang, Behag and Dy.
De la Cruz, who has seen action in F2 Logistics before in the defunct Philippine
Superliga back in 2019, will not only add firepower to the club but will also be a reliable piece on floor defense.
The Bulacan native displayed her all-around skills in her last stint with
La Salle averaging 11 points per game during the elimination round and landing in fifth place in reception and 11th in digging overall.
On the other hand, Alba, who was named UAAP Season 85 Finals Most Valuable Player and Best Setter, will serve as backup for another multi-awarded playmaker in Fajardo and Iris Tolenada.
Alba in her final year with La Salle normed 4.48 excellent sets per frame on top of an average of 0.50 ace per set.
Meanwhile, Fernandez was impressive in her second year with the Lady Tamaraws before deciding to go pro.
The heady winger averaged 9.5 points per game as she helped FEU rise from a disappointing 1-13 record in Season 84 to a fifth place finish the following year.