Choco Mucho stalwart Kat Tolentino will have something to build on after making an on-court comeback during the PVL Reinforced Conference.
It was last April when Kat Tolentino was sidelined by an auditory condition that caused severe vertigo, alongside affected hearing, vision, and balance. Consequently, her 2024 All-Filipino Conference run came to an abrupt end.
When healthy, Tolentino is one of Choco Mucho’s main gunners. In the AFC, she had been one of Sisi Rondina’s support systems as the Flying Titans re-established their contending status.
But just like that, her career was in jeopardy.
“I’ve fallen countless times in my career, but this has been one of the most challenging because of the uncertainty. It’s frustrating and heartbreaking knowing all the sacrifice and hard work is wasted,” Tolentino wrote in an Instagram post last April.
‘Good feeling’
Three months later, Tolentino is back on the taraflex. In a welcome development, she suited up for Choco Mucho throughout the Reinforced Conference.
“It’s a good feeling. It’s nice to be in uniform again and to be alongside my teammates in training. I’m just slowly getting used to being in the game full time. So hopefully next conference I can do more,” she told The GAME after Choco Mucho’s campaign ended against PLDT.
Tolentino’s return is thanks to a personal judgment call. It was a matter of whether she’s regained her balance and hearing, alongside the readiness to experience in-game conditions again.
Her physical conditioning has also been re-established, she said.
“I just had to gain back that confidence and yeah, it was really up to me when I felt like I was comfortable to play again,” she explained.
Understandably, Tolentino was given limited minutes for the conference. As she puts it, she was “more there just to support my team in whatever way I can”.
“In training, I had to challenge the first six or whoever was on. And I fully trust the coaches in their decision-making. And I know that whatever role they give me, I’m going to fulfill it as best as I can,” she explained.
But this was also an eye-opener for Kat Tolentino. A stark contrast to her usual role, she’s learned the true value of patience. If athletes must recover from usual injuries, then what more for a rare condition like hers?
“I learned to be patient with myself and understand that it’s going to be a process of me getting back. It’s not something where I can just be back to my normal self right away. And I have to understand that it’s all a process.”
Choco Mucho, meanwhile, finished in ninth place with two wins. While they had a last shot to enter the playoffs, PLDT and personnel shortage were too much to overcome.
Rondina and Cherry Nunag are on Alas Pilipinas duties, while Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya are recovering from ACL injuries. Import Zoi Faki was under the weather against PLDT, while head coach Dante Alinsunurin is in the SEA V. League with Alas Men’s.
“Even though we didn’t do as well as we wanted to, we have to be patient with ourselves and just continue pushing forward,” said the former Ateneo Lady Eagle.
Added adjustments
For now, Kat Tolentino assures she’s feeling “good and strong” physically. However, it’s still a whole new ballgame for the Fil-Canadian spiker.
Tolentino is yet to get her full hearing back, which gives an added layer to her readjustment.
“I don’t have my full hearing back but….I think I’m just having to learn to deal with it when I play or in training. So I have to learn to play like that. Especially in a big arena, it’s very different than what I’m used to. So just getting used to playing in that environment again,” she explained.
Still, Tolentino’s resolve is firmer than ever. It’s different from her previous injuries, but she knows it’s a challenge that she has to rebound from.
“At the end of the day, I knew that as an athlete, you have to come back from these problems or whatever obstacles you’re given. And I knew that eventually my body will heal itself and that I’ll be back in no time. And I just have to be patient with myself,” she said.
It’s a long way to go, but Kat Tolentino is a step closer in rediscovering the form that established her as an elite name in Philippine volleyball.
Up next for her and the Flying Titans will be the Second All-Filipino Conference in November. As they regroup, the grind continues for Tolentino in their two-month offseason.
“Just to continue working hard and getting my strength and my confidence all back. And just being able to contribute more for the team,” she said of her immediate-term objectives.
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.