Playing in her best game since returning from an auditory condition, Choco Mucho pioneer Kat Tolentino knows that she can still unlock a higher gear for the All-Filipino Conference.
It didn’t take long for Choco Mucho Flying Titans pioneer Kat Tolentino to show flashes of the vaunted form she has been determined to restore in her recovery from an auditory condition.
Two games into the new PVL season, Tolentino exploded for a season-high 27 points against the Galeries Tower Highrisers as she led the Flying Titans in a five-setter at the FilOil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Thursday.
But Tolentino knows that she can still achieve a higher gear for the as the 2024-2025 All-Filipino Conference goes on for the Flying Titans.
“For me, it’s still not where I wanna be, I mean, there’s still more I can offer for the team. It’s still a long conference and I believe there’s still more to give. This is still the beginning of the conference and I’m still learning to get back and play the actual game. So more still,” said Tolentino, who had a game-high 20 kills on Thursday and 10 excellent digs.
The Flying Titans on Thursday turned to net defense in escaping Galeries Tower, recording 22 blocks in the two-hour and 37-minute affair. Of the 22 rejections, seven came from Tolentino alone as she flexed her height and might against the scrappy Highrisers.
“I think it’s just sticking to Coach Dante [Alinsunurin’s] blocking system. Ever since, even last year, that’s what I’ve been trying to work on and I just have to stick with the process. And I think sticking to the system and trusting the team is what got us there,” she said following their 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12 victory.
With a major confidence boost, Tolentino also vowed to further embrace her veteran role for Choco Mucho. The Fil-Canadian has been in the PVL since 2019 and turned pro in 2021 to close out her collegiate career with Ateneo.
As one of Choco Mucho’s top gunners when healthy, Tolentino’s re-emergence is a welcome sight as they seek to improve on their ninth-placed finish in the 2024 Reinforced Conference.
“I guess since I’ve been here the longest [in Choco Mucho], it’s about time I step up and I have to also take that role. I’m also one of the older girls, so I know that it’s not just about playing, it’s about leading the team. And I’m willing to take that and help everyone else, help Sisi [Rondina], and hopefully just continue working with this new team and just trusting coach Dante,” the 29-year-old said.
Invaluable work ethic
For his part, Alinsunurin is more than proud of Kat Tolentino’s productive start and believes that the All-Filipino Conference will be the time to reintroduce herself as a high-level spiker.
The champion mentor also places his full trust in the Fil-Canadian spiker, who brings a high-level work ethic as she adjusts to life with an auditory issue.
“Sobrang thankful ako, kasi every practice, parang nag-oobserve at ko sa kanya kung ano ‘yung…kailangan ba ito ‘yung gagawin niya? Kailangan ba dapat hanggang doon ‘yung gagawin niya? Parang alam mo ‘yun? Sobrang ako din ‘yung nahihiya sa kanya sa ginagawa niyang performance every time na nagpa-practice kami,” Alinsunurin shared.
“Kasi alam ko na galing siya sa sakit pero every time sa court, all out talaga! Ako na lang talaga ‘yung parang nag-iisip ako na ‘lapitan ko kaya’ siya o ‘Kat, kaya pa ba?’ Sobrang thanfkul ako sa ginagawa niya,” he added.
Alinsunurin then acknowledged his lapse to bench Tolentino in their season opener against the Petro Gazz Angels last November 9, where the Fil-Canadian finished with 12 points in three sets played for Choco Mucho.
At the time, the champion mentor was uncertain about Tolentino’s conditioning for a long game, only to be assured otherwise as she played all five sets against Galeries Tower on Thursday.
“’Yun nga sa akin nung last game kami na nagkamali ako. Dapat pala hinabaan ko pa ‘yung playing time niya. Siguro mas naging maganda ‘yung resulta,” he explained.
Alinsunurin, though, vowed to take it step by step as they manage Tolentino and the team’s conditioning throughout the six-month-long All-Filipino Conference.
“Pero sabi ko nga, mahaba ‘yung liga na ito. Importante lang maging healthy kami pagdating sa dulo, at kung ano man ‘yung nagiging lapses sa performance namin, sana madagdagan pa namin na madagdagan para maging maganda yung takbo ng team namin.”
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.