Sports

Shorthanded Choco Mucho Ready To Step Up Amid Kat Tolentino’s Absence

By RJ Ballecer - January 24, 2025

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans were inspired by their now-recovering teammate Kat Tolentino in a dominant win over the PLDT High Speed Hitters.

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans had Kat Tolentino in mind as they faced Savi Davison and the PLDT High Speed Hitters in their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference matchup on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.

The Flying Titans dedicated their 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 win over PLDT to the Fil-Canadian ace, who is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a ruptured appendix last January 21. 

“Una, syempre yung pagkapanalo namin inaalay namin kay Kat, nagre-recover na siya ngayon sana mabilis yung pag-recover niya at makasama na ulit namin,” head coach Dante Alinsunurin said in his opening remarks at the post-game press conference. 

Choco Mucho was preparing for PLDT when news of Tolentino’s ruptured appendix came in. But instead of getting demoralized, it became an added motivation in facing a High Speed Hitters squad fresh off a dominant win against the Akari Chargers over the weekend.

Save for opening set jitters, Thursday’s game ended up being one of Choco Mucho’s finest outings early into the conference as they dictated the pace against PLDT. Sisi Rondina topscored with 20 points, accompanied by Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s 16 markers, while Isa Molde and Chery Nunag added 12 points apiece in the winning effort.

Deanna Wong also continued her return to form, tossing up 12 excellent sets as she steered the Flying Titans’ offense.  

Para rin ito kay Kat [win over PLDT], so dagdag motivation talaga ang nangyari ni Kat,” said Rondina. 

Santiago-Manabat, who stepped into Tolentino’s starting role, vouched for the 29-year-old’s exceptional character and work ethic as one of the team’s main gunners.

Actually ‘yung araw ngayon na nilaro ko is parang inaalay ko talaga siya kay Kat kasi isa din siya sa inspirasyon ko ngayong araw, kasi parang hindi niya deserve kung anuman ‘yung nangyari sa kanya, sobrang sipag niya, sobrang bait niya. So pumunta lang ako dito, syempre mindset namin talaga is manalo. Sumunod lang kami sa sistema ni coach,” Santiago-Manabat said.

Team photo of Choco Mucho with Kat Tolentino (jersey no. 10)
Team photo of Choco Mucho with Kat Tolentino (jersey no. 10)

Kat Tolentino was the conference’s 10th-best scorer prior to the health issue, putting up 79 points across seven games played with the Flying Titans. While her loss is a major blow for the team, it’s also the perfect time for the rest of Choco Mucho to step up in her absence. 

Lagi lang namin sinasabi na challenge accepted,” Santiago-Manabat said. “Kasi lagi lang naman kami [sinasabihan] ni Coach Dante na laging dapat ready kami, dapat masipag kami and sumunod lang kami nang sumunod sa sistema para ‘yung ginagawa namin, maging synchronized.” 

Rondina, the Titans’ team captain, expressed belief in her teammates’ readiness to step up in Tolentino’s absence. Personnel shortages are nothing new for Choco Mucho, Rondina said, with the likes of Aduke Ogunsanya and Mean Mendrez yet to suit up for the conference. 

Lagi lang namin naiisip na ‘ito nanaman [may injured na teammate]’, but sabi nga ni Dindin, challenge accepted kami, so wala kaming ibang gagawin kung hindi ipakita na ‘yung naiwang trabaho ng kasama namin is tatrabahuhin namin isa isa. Syempre ‘yung goal ng team is manalo nang manalo so ayun, tatrabahuhin namin hangga’t ‘di pa tapos,” she said. 

A two-week break awaits the Flying Titans before returning to action against the Akari Chargers on February 8 at the Philsports Arena. With Tolentino likely out for that game, the Flying Titans will now turn to their improving team play, as seen with Santiago-Manabat’s vintage performances and the solid outings from Molde and Nunag against PLDT. 

‘Yun ‘yung lagi ko hinahanap dun sa mga player ko na lahat talaga magcontribute everytime na may ginagawa kami,” said Alinsunurin. “Hindi lang naman si Sisi or isang pangalan lang ‘yung kailangang gumawa para sa team.” 

“Sabi ko nga, team effort palagi and alam mo kung sino ka and ano ‘yung responsibilidad na binibigay ko sa kanila is tinatanggap lang lagi nila, kaya ngayon sabi ko nga, kaya gumaganda nang gumaganda ‘yung laro namin is kasi totally nagtteam effort na talaga kami.” 

Images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League. 

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