Strong Group pounces early in PVL shake-up, secures Cess Robles, Renee Peñafiel, and Karen Verdeflor after Chery Tiggo exit 

Just 48 hours after Chery Tiggo’s stunning departure from the Premier Volleyball League, Strong Group Athletics wasted no time reshaping the post-Crossovers landscape—securing three of the first major signings in Cess Robles, Renee Peñafiel, and Karen Verdeflor.

The swift move underscores how aggressively the group behind ZUS Coffee and Farm Fresh is preparing for the next PVL season, capitalizing on sudden league-wide free agency turbulence.

The three players were formally introduced by Strong Group on Wednesday night, marking the first official pickups following Chery Tiggo’s disbandment. All three now enter a transition period where they will train with both the Thunderbelles and the Foxies before being assigned to their new home team.

An insider told the Inquirer that the final landing spots of the trio will hinge on where they “fit best in terms of system and immediate team needs,” making their integration process crucial over the next few weeks. 

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New chapter ahead!

Former Crossovers Cess Robles, Karen Verdeflor, and Renee Penafiel have found a new home with Strong Group Athletics. The trio is staying active with SGA while they prepare to announce their new squads.

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For Strong Group owner Frank Lao, the acquisitions represent both stability and opportunity. Robles brings proven scoring to whichever team she joins, having evolved into one of Chery Tiggo’s most reliable hitters alongside Ara Galang. The former National University standout joined the Crossovers in 2023 and became an integral part of their offense.

Verdeflor, a steady Adamson-bred libero drafted last year, provides defensive depth and consistency. Meanwhile, Peñafiel—selected 26th overall in June—quickly rose beyond her draft position after an impressive PVL on Tour run, making her one of the biggest steals of her class.

All three were instrumental in Chery Tiggo’s Cinderella march to the PVL On Tour Finals, where the Crossovers pushed PLDT to a thrilling five-set finish.

Their arrival comes as both Strong Group teams continue riding the momentum of their breakthrough Reinforced Conference campaigns. ZUS Coffee marched to its first-ever finals appearance before falling to Petro Gazz, while Farm Fresh matched that rise with a franchise-best 7-1 elimination round record and a No. 1 seed finish—only to be upset by Akari in the quarterfinals.

With the league landscape shifting rapidly, Strong Group’s decisive strike signals a clear intent: strengthen both sister squads and seize the competitive gap left by one of the PVL’s former powerhouse clubs.

More moves are expected as displaced Chery Tiggo players evaluate offers and navigate their futures in an increasingly aggressive off-season market.

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