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Amid a lengthy absence in the PVL, 10-time champion middle blocker Risa Sato announces her first pregnancy with fellow NU athlete alum Enzo Joson
MANILA, Philippines – Risa Sato has won it all in her decorated PVL career. Now, she is choosing to step back from the taraflex to savor another victory: her first pregnancy, announced in time for her 31st birthday on Saturday, October 4.
“Best birthday yet! Grateful for the tiny miracle that makes my heart so full,” the Filipino-Japanese standout wrote on Instagram while sharing pictures of her noticeable baby bump and her partner, fellow National University athlete alum and basketball player Enzo Joson.
After being with the Creamline dynasty for all its 10 PVL championships, Sato transferred to the Chery Tiggo Crossovers last January but sparingly played throughout their entire 2025 season run.
After sharing an eighth-place finish with her new team in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, Sato completely sat out Chery Tiggo’s eventual runner-up finish in the 2025 On Tour preseason and the subsequent 2025 Invitational, where the Crossovers settled at fourth out of six teams.
Sato will now miss the entire 2025 Reinforced Conference, which will run from Tuesday, October 7, to November 27 — just in time to give way to the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December.
Chery Tiggo’s net defense, however, is expected to stand strong in Sato’s absence as the likes of Imee Hernandez, captain Aby Maraño, Cza Carandang, and Pauline Gaston will capably hold the fort down in the Crossovers’ ongoing chase of another PVL championship.
Chery Tiggo last won gold in the 2021 Open Conference bubble in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte. – Rappler.com
