The stars align for Mean Mendrez as she gets her first-ever start for Choco Mucho in the PVL against the powerhouse Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
Choco Mucho’s five-set win on Tuesday in the PVL Reinforced Conferencecame with a slight lineup tweak. Into the starting six was former PLDT and Petro Gazz stalwart Mean Mendrez, a 5-foot-10 outside hitter that has shown flashes of offensive prowess.
Mendrez was quick to repay coach Dante Alinsunurin’s trust against Chery Tiggo, scoring a team-high 18 points built on 14 attacks alongside 15 excellent receptions. Given Choco Mucho’s struggles in the Reinforced Conference, her emergence is a timely one.
“For me lang, super laki lang na bagay sakin pagkatiwalaan ng coaches and syempre ‘yung teammates ko na laging andyan sa likod ko, feel ko talaga naka-supporta sila,” Mendrez said of her first start for Choco Mucho.
“‘Yun nga, parang always lang naman na kung sino ‘yung andyan, kailangan mag-step up talaga, pag binigyan ka ng chance ng coaches mo. And ‘yun nga, parang sa training palang, malaking bagay talaga ‘yung binigay sakin ng mga coaches.”
Alinsunurin was least surprised with Mendrez’s breakout due to her potential. Unfortunately, the outside hitter had cartilage removed from her knee recently that affected her conditioning.
“Si Mean kasi, ang gusto ko palagi sa kanya, bago siya pumunta sa loob ng court, alam ‘kong dapat ready siya. Ayokong pinipilit siya na wala siya sa kondisyon. Kasi kinuha namin siya, nakita namin ‘yung naging sitwasyon,” Alinsunurin told The GAME, referring to Mendrez’s knee.
“Sakin kasi, gusto ko lang na ‘yung kondisyon nang katawan niya is maayos, para pagdating sa laro…kasi in terms naman sa laro, in terms naman sa skills, pag-laro, kilala naman natin ‘yan ehKaya lang ang nagiging problema na lang din nyan, ‘yung kondisyon nang katawan, ‘yung tuhod niya.”
But a week before the game, Alinsunurin saw Mendrez’s all-out effort during training, which became his sign to give her a starting nod.
“Ayun, nagtuloy tuloy na ‘yung ginawa niya nung preparation namin dito kaya siya na ‘yung tinaya ko talaga ‘don. Ayon, kaya siguro mas naging madali sakanya ‘yung nangyari dahil talagang pinaghandaan talaga namin ‘yung Chery Tiggo,” he explained.
“Lagi ko naman siyang kinakausap. Basta, anytime, sigurado ako gagamit gamitin ka…pero kailagan mo lang ipakita sakin na karapat-dapat ka ipasok sa laro.”
Naniwala lang sila
Tuesday’s win also snaps a two-game losing skid for Choco Mucho. As they wrapped up Pool B play, the Flying Titans suffered a reverse-sweep against Akari, and a straight-set loss to Petro Gazz.
Yet in Pool D, they stood firm against Chery Tiggo, a potential contender in the Reinforced Conference. Alongside Mean Mendrez’s inspired charge, there’s now some hope for the Flying Titans moving forward.
“Kailangan lang nila magtiwala sa isa’t isa. Lahat naman nang kasagutan within the team lang talaga eh. Sa lahat ng laro namin nakakadepensa kami, nakakaopensa kami, nagagawa namin ‘yung gusto namin mangyari sa loob ng court.” said Alinsunurin.
“But ‘yun nga, pag napipigilan, nawawala talaga ‘yung gusto namin mangyari kasi nagdadoubt kami sa isa’t isa kung kakayanin ba namin ngayong conference kahit na wala si Sisi [Rondina] and Chery [Nunag]. So ngayon nakita ko naman [na kaya]. Sana magtuloy tuloy lang kung ano ‘yung nangyari samin today, matuto kami ulit kung ano pa ‘yung kailangan namin gawin.”
Up next for Choco Mucho will be their first look at the Erica Staunton-boosted Creamline Cool Smashers on August 17 and the PLDT High Speed Hitters on August 22 to close out the second round. These will be Choco Mucho’s final hurdles to keep their quarterfinals hopes alive.
Banner Image courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.