MANILA, Philippines — Pauline Gaston provided the much-needed spark for Chery Tiggo to finish the year with a 4-2 record in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference. 

Gaston nailed the crucial blows in the fourth set to force a decider and complete a come-from-behind 30-28, 20-25, 19-25, 25-16, 15-8 win over the gritty Galeries Tower on Saturday at Philsports Arena.

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The star middle blocker, who finished with 14 points, said she simply turned to what has been their biggest strength this conference: teamwork.

READ: PVL: Chery Tiggo withstands Galeries to get back on track

“What really stuck with me was what Coach Norman [Miguel] said during the last game—that one person’s point is everyone’s point, and one person’s error is everyone’s error. It was truly a team effort,” said Gaston.

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“It all started with Jennifer [Nierva]’s great passes, which allowed the setter to deliver good sets. Everything began to flow in the fourth and fifth sets. Everyone the coaches trusted to put in really delivered. And it all started in training. I owe everything to the coaches.”

Chery Tiggo Crosssovers during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game against Galeries. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Chery Tiggo coach Norman Miguel knew that Gaston would spell the difference for the Crossovers, saying she has been one of their hardworking players in practice.

“Ponggay really gives her all in training every day; she’s the one who consistently pushes herself. It’s great to see her applying that now,” said Miguel. “The points she contributed earlier were really game-changing. I’m so proud of her.”

READ: Pauline Gaston pays tribute to dad with jersey number change

After losing three key players including Eya Laure’s request for a contract buyout, the Crossovers under new coach Miguel won four of their first six games for the solo fourth place.

Gaston believes a result of everyone’s willingness to work together. 

“There are a lot of surprise factors because many players aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zones, thanks to our coaches,” the former Ateneo captain said.

“Our coaches really push us beyond our limits, showing us that we can do more. This helps us grow overall as players because we all want to improve together as a family.”

Entering the long break, Gaston and Crossovers will continue to bank on their strong bond ahead of a more challenging 2025.

“Trust the process because this is a rebuilding stage,” she said. “I believe in the process, in the coaches, and in my teammates—that the connection, jive, and chemistry Coach Norman talks about will eventually come out. At the end of the day, it’s not just about skills; character also matters. I know that 2024 was a test of our character. Hopefully, in 2025, we can show who Chery Tiggo truly is.”