Riding the crest of a four game winning surge, Choco Mucho have become one of the hottest teams in the 2019 PVL Open Conference.
But the Flying Titans’ campaign could have been worse had the Oliver Almadro-mentored squad neglected to make the necessary changes.
One of the Flying Titans who has made the most notable adjustment has been Bang Pineda.
When the Flying Titans hit a five-game slump in the first round, Pineda made a “big decision” with Almadro to convert her from a spiker to a floor defensive specialist.
“Yun nga, sabi ni coach kung ano ang ibigay sa’yo, paghirapan mo,” Pineda bared.
“Kung di mo yan posisyon at diyan ka nilagay, for sure, nakikita ng coaches na doon ka talaga makaka-help kasi ‘di naman yan ibibigay sa’yo kung ‘di ka makakatulong din.”
The 5-foot-6 spiker is no stranger to the role of libero, since she has played in that capacity with some of her previous teams. Still, it was a tough adjustment to make.
But Pineda embraced the responsibility so the Flying Titans could put their dark days behind.
“Lagi kaming nag-uusap, matagal na kaming magkakilala ni Bang. Alam niya na ‘Coach, dito mo ako gamitin. Coach, bahala ka kung saan mo ako gustong gamitin, kung saan ako makakatulong’,” Almadro shared.
Pineda has been one of the steady forces behind Choco Mucho’s blistering momentum. On Wednesday, the product of Adamson showed once again that she’ll always be someone whom the team can rely on.
The 28-year-old product of Adamson manned the floor against the hard-hitting trio of Motolite in Myla Pablo, Isa Molde, and Tots Carlos. She collected 33 excellent digs and 21 excellent receptions to help douse the high-octane offense of the opposition.
“Sobrang… Itong player na ito, sobrang versatile na kahit saan mo ilagay, tatrabahuhin niya yan,” Almadro expressed about Pineda. “Kasi trinabaho niya talaga. Lahat ng bola sinugod niya talaga. Lahat nandoon siya, kahit saan ma-attack ang bola nandun siya and she is acknowledging it.
“Kaya sabi ko kanina, ‘I love you very much, Bang’.”
