Choco Mucho is already preparing for life without Kat Tolentino after an auditory condition continues to keep the opposite spiker out of commission in the tail end of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League elimination round.
Tolentino already missed the Flying Titans’ last five games, and it looks like she’s going to miss more according to head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Siguro ngayon ‘di pa namin alam kung makakabalik siya, pero yun nga, pinapalagay na rin namin yung loob namin na baka hindi na siya makabalik talaga this conference,” said coach Alinsunurin following Choco Mucho’s straight-set loss to Creamline, Thursday.
The Flying Titans went 4-1 with Tolentino out, sweeping Akari, Galeries Tower, Capital1, and Strong Group.
However, they eventually crashed in their shocking 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 loss to the Cool Smashers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Alinsunurin said that the 6-foot-3 opposite spiker’s presence was badly missed in their crucial loss to Creamline. Still, he believes that Royse Tubino – who has been filling in for Tolentino – can make up for it.
He also reiterated that Tolentino’s health will come first above anything else.
“Siguro may factor na rin yung hindi paglaro ni Kat sa’min. Pero sabi ko nga, bago naman mangyari kay Kat, nandiyan naman si Royse Tubino na kung ano ‘man yung nagagawa niya, nakukuha namin,” said Alinsunurin.
“Pero sabi ko nga, marami pa namang time, ang importante lang is yung kalusugan ni Kat.”
