Choco Mucho stalwart Kat Tolentino is laser-focused on making an impact for the Flying Titans as she adjusts to life with an auditory condition.
Twenty-twenty four has been a roller-coaster ride for Choco Mucho Flying Titans stalwart Kat Tolentino since getting sidelined by an auditory condition during the 2024 All-Filipino Conference last March.
The Fil-Canadian missed the rest of that conference as Choco Mucho continued its rise under Sisi Rondina and then-captain Maddie Madayag, and had a limited role during the Reinforced Conference as she worked her way back to peak form.
And while she looked fine in Choco Mucho’s 2024-2025 All-Filipino opener, Tolentino had a surprising update about her condition. Asked about the loud and packed crowd at the Philsports Arena, the 29-year-old admitted how different the experience was given her current predicament.
“Yeah, it’s different because I’m deaf in my left ear, so all the sounds are coming from my right side. So it’s pretty different, just as even as a person in the arena, it’s different,” Tolentino revealed on Saturday during a short media scrum.
“But it’s not something I can deal with. I just have to adjust and understand that this is the condition I have, so I have to get used to it. So far it’s been okay, it’s just really loud in my right side, but other than that, my team has been really supportive and I’m thankful for that.”
The former Ateneo spiker remains hopeful that her condition can still improve in due time.
“According to the ENT, it hasn’t exactly come back and it’s been almost around nine months. Hopefully it’s not permanent and hopefully it will come back. But right now, I just can’t really hear so much on my left side,” she explained.
The Flying Titans on Saturday dropped their season opener against the Petro Gazz Angels 20-25, 28-26, 21-25, 16-25. Despite the bitter start, Tolentino believes that it can help the Flying Titans resolve their issues very early into the six-month-long conference.
For her part, the Fil-Canadian admits that her conditioning has improved over the last few months, along with her self-confidence. Now, it’s a matter of adjusting to the in-game situations and the packed crowds that will flock to the playing venues for Choco Mucho’s All-Filipino games.
“Because I haven’t played fully in a while like how I played earlier [on Saturday]. So I’m being patient with myself also and I’m having to get the support also from my teammates, which is good,” said Tolentino, who mostly came off the bench during the Reinforced Conference.
Despite scoring a solid 12 points, the 29-year-old stressed that she has a lot more to give as the conference goes on. Still, it’s a good sign as Tolentino started three sets for Choco Mucho, which came with a more assertive and confident play throughout the night.
“I know I can give more. I think that’s just the beginning right now and it’s not enough for the team. I know that I have to contribute both offensively and defensively. And I think I still have a lot more to offer for this season,” she said.
Last Choco Mucho pioneer
Also part of Tolentino’s comeback is her status as Choco Mucho’s last pioneering member in the team following Madayag’s departure. The middle blocker was signed by the Japan SV.League’s Kurobe AquaFaries last September, which ended her five-year stay with the Flying Titans.
Tolentino and Madayag also go way back, having won a championship together for Ateneo in UAAP Season 81 in 2019. But while her longtime partner will be gone, Tolentino has also built a rapport with her newer teammates over time.
“I’m so used to playing with her as the middle, but I’ve also gotten used to playing with the other girls. So it’s nice to see, like our rookie Lorraine [Pecaña] step up and fill her position. I’m thankful that she was able to do well today…and of course I miss [Maddie], but I’m glad that my other teammates are able to perform,” she said.
Tolentino also re-expressed her faith in Choco Mucho, having seen them go from cellar-dwellers to title contenders since debuting in 2019.
“I’ve seen how it’s evolved and I know that we have to kind of fail or lose in order to win. So I’ve gone through so many Choco Muchos where we’ve lost. I’m not doubting the team or anything and I know that we can bounce back from this and I know it’s a process. Choco Mucho has come so far when I first started, so I’m just going to keep working hard.”
Banner image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.