![Choco Mucho Flying Titans' Dindin Santiago-Manabat in the PVL Reinforced Conference.](https://sports.inquirer.net/files/2024/07/IMG_0445_PVL-reinforced-conference-Choco-Mucho-Akari_Dindin-Manabat-scaled.jpg)
Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Dindin Santiago-Manabat within the PVL Bolstered Convention. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.internet
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 Bolstered Convention, did not dampen her shocking resolution to leap ship.
“I’m not doubting [my decision to transfer],” Santiago-Manabat stated in Filipino late Tuesday after the Flying Titans suffered a surprising second consecutive loss within the Bolstered Convention by the hands of her former crew 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 stated 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 comfortable 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 stated.
“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 crew proper now, possibly we’re simply meant to study one thing—that you could’t be on high on a regular basis.”
Santiago-Manabat additionally stated she left Akari on good phrases, thus there was hardly any unwell emotions when she confronted her former teammates.
“I’m comfortable to play [Akari]. I do know that they’ve loads of adjustment as a result of my brother-in-law (Taka Minowa) is their coach now … I don’t have anger in the direction of [the Chargers] as a result of all of them had been my household and buddies,” she stated.
“We could haven’t gotten the outcome that we wished however I’m comfortable to play in opposition to them. Pleasant recreation. No onerous 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 previously two All-Filipino Conferences, clashing with sister crew Creamline within the Finals of these tournaments however settling for bridesmaid finishes.
The absence of its major weapon Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, who’re fulfilling their nationwide crew 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 have to work for what we have now, [Choco Mucho] has been reaching the ultimate 4 however the problem doesn’t finish there,” Santiago-Manabat stated. “There’s a problem day by day that we have to overcome.”
In the meantime, the league has postponed the video games on Thursday because of the inclement climate introduced by supertyphoon “Carina” (worldwide identify: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon.
The Pool A matches between Farm Recent (0-2) and PLDT (2-0), Creamline and Nxled (each 1-1) and Galeries Tower (0-2) and Chery Tiggo (2-0) will likely be rescheduled to a later date with the league open to the opportunity of a four-game day schedule to accommodate the video games.