Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Dindin Santiago-Manabat within the PVL Strengthened Convention. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.web
Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s transfer to Choco Mucho was surrounded by points. However that, along with the tough begin of the Flying Titans within the PVL Strengthened Convention, did not dampen her stunning resolution to leap ship.
“I’m not doubting [my decision to transfer],” Santiago-Manabat mentioned in Filipino late Tuesday after the Flying Titans suffered a surprising second consecutive loss within the Strengthened Convention by the hands of her former group Akari, 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13.
The veteran hitter’s switch was preluded by a swap between sister groups Akari and Nxled, which noticed Santiago-Manabat moved to the Chameleons, a commerce which PVL president Ricky Palou has mentioned he was not in favor of as earlier reported by the Inquirer.
Apparently, neither was the previous Nationwide U famous person, who requested out of her contract with the franchise to switch to a different membership, which turned out to be Choco Mucho.
“I’m joyful to be part of Choco Mucho Flying Titans as a result of they gave me a heat welcome so I don’t have regrets selecting them as a result of all of my teammates are very constructive,” Santiago-Manabat mentioned.
“No matter occurred at present (Tuesday) and the previous recreation (a sweep loss to Cignal), [the Flying Titans] had been nonetheless actually constructive,” she added. “So for me, no matter is going on to the group proper now, perhaps we’re simply meant to be taught one thing—you can’t be on prime on a regular basis.”
Santiago-Manabat additionally mentioned she left Akari on good phrases, thus there was hardly any unwell emotions when she confronted her former teammates.
“I’m joyful to play [Akari]. I do know that they’ve numerous adjustment as a result of my brother-in-law (Taka Minowa) is their coach now … I don’t have anger in direction of [the Chargers] as a result of all of them had been my household and pals,” she mentioned.
“We might haven’t gotten the outcome that we needed however I’m joyful to play towards them. Pleasant recreation. No exhausting emotions and anger. No matter my efficiency was at present, it was for Choco Mucho,” Santiago-Manabat added after main the Flying Titans with 16 factors within the loss to the Chargers.
Constant contender
Choco Mucho has emerged as a constant title contender up to now two All-Filipino Conferences, clashing with sister group Creamline within the Finals of these tournaments however settling for bridesmaid finishes.
The absence of its principal weapon Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, who’re fulfilling their nationwide group duties with Alas Pilipinas’ coaching camp in Japan, is closely felt by the remaining Flying Titans who’re nonetheless constructing chemistry with Santiago-Manabat and different free agent signings.
Greek reinforcement Zoi Faki has additionally but to make her presence felt after producing underwhelming numbers in her first PVL stint.
“We actually must work for what we have now, [Choco Mucho] has been reaching the ultimate 4 however the problem doesn’t finish there,” Santiago-Manabat mentioned. “There’s a problem day-after-day that we have to overcome.”
In the meantime, the league has postponed the video games on Thursday as a result of inclement climate introduced by supertyphoon “Carina” (worldwide identify: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon.
The Pool A matches between Farm Contemporary (0-2) and PLDT (2-0), Creamline and Nxled (each 1-1) and Galeries Tower (0-2) and Chery Tiggo (2-0) will probably be rescheduled to a later date with the league open to the opportunity of a four-game day schedule to accommodate the video games.
