By MARK REY MONTEJO
Chery Tiggo formally parted ways with top players EJ Laure and Buding Duremdes, the team announced on its social media Tuesday evening, Oct. 22.
“Thank you to these two incredible athletes, Buding Duremdes and Ej Laure,” it wrote. “We are grateful for your contributions to the team and happy to have shared an epic ride with you.”
“We wish you all the best as you move on to the next phase of your journey. Your Chery Tiggo Crossover family will be cheering for you,” it added.
With her departure, the 27-year-old Laure wrapped up her 9-year stint with Chery Tiggo (Foton Tornadoes in the now-defunct Philippine Super Liga) after they produced myriad accolades that included a bronze medal win in 2024 PNVF Champions League and the 2016 PSL Grand Prix Conference crown.
EJ, the oldest of the Laure siblings, snared the 1st Best Open Hitter plum in the 2017 PSL all-Filipino tournament where she and the Tornadoes claimed the bronze as well.
“Forever grateful for the 9 years, Foton/Chery,” Laure wrote on her Instagram post.
Duremdes spent five years in the UAAGI-owned squad that won the 2021 PVL Open Conference.
Meanwhile, Fil-American Alohi Robins-Hardy will bring her talent anew on Philippine soil after signing with the Farm Fresh Foxies for the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference next month.
Robins-Hardy, 28, had previously donned the national colors in the first leg of 2019 ASEAN Grand Prix (currently SEA V.League) where they plucked bronze honors.
The 6-foot-3 playmaker was also the winner of best setter award in PSL in 2017 before bannering Cignal two years later.
Robins-Hardy had stints in her hometown Hawaii, Serbia, Czech Republic, and France.
Other newcomer to the team is veteran libero Jheck Dionela as Farm Fresh intends to go deep in the coming tournament.
