Choco Mucho rookie Lorraine Pecaña delivered her best performance yet in the pros during the Flying Titans’ five-set thriller against Galeries Tower in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday.
Pecaña, the 11th overall pick in the inaugural PVL Draft, rose to the occasion for the Rebisco-backed squad, tallying three crucial blocks in the fifth set that helped secure their first win of the tournament.
As Choco Mucho’s only rookie selection in the draft, Pecaña contributed seven of the team’s 22 blocks, finishing with a career-high 10 points in their hard-fought 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12 victory over the Highrisers.
“Nakinig lang po ako sa mga coaches ko kasi alam na nila kung sino ‘yung mga bibigyan ng bola eh, nakinig lang ako sa kanila tapos nagtiwala lang din ako sa sarili ko na kapag pinalo nila, matik makukuha ko ‘yung bola. Maba-block ko sila,” said Pecaña after the win.
The first-year middle blocker admitted she felt down heading into the fifth frame after committing a service error in the fourth set, but a talk with head coach Dante Alinsunurin helped her regain focus for the decider.
Pecaña credited Alinsunurin and the coaching staff for their guidance, which paved the way for her breakout performance.
(C) PVL Images
“Kagaya nga nung sinabi ko na rookie, tapos kanina ‘yung service error parang first error ko siya sa buong laro ko, na parang paano ko kukunin ‘yung sarili ko sa susunod ko,” said the 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Arellano.
“Kagaya ng sinabi sakin ni Coach Dante, alam niya na nanghihingi na ako ng tulong kanina kasi tumingin na ako sa kanya. Sabi niya na ‘wag ganon, so tinibayan ko lang talaga. Alam ko na na magfi-fifth set, dapat mas matibay ako, mas matibay ‘yung papakita ko kesa sa fourth set na down na down na ako isang mali lang.”
After seeing limited playing time in her debut conference, the 23-year-old native of Pililla, Rizal is now enjoying a bigger role due to the absence of star middle blocker Maddie Madayag, who signed with the Kurobe Aqua Fairies in SV.League.
Aware of the added responsibility, Pecaña is determined to repay the Flying Titans’ trust in her as she strives to become a key contributor in their quest for the elusive All-Filipino crown.
“Kagaya nga ng mga sinasabi ko sa mga nag-iinterview sakin, ang laking role nung binigay ni coach Dante sakin, ‘yung posisyon na ‘to na nasa first six ka. Tapos as a rookie, ‘yung tiwala na binibigay niya, nandun na,” Pecaña said.
“So dapat ako rin magtitiwala rin ako sa sarili ko kung gaano nagtitiwala rin sakin ‘yung mga kasama ko. Dapat ‘yung tibay ng loob ko, determinasyon ko sa araw-araw na training, ganun din dapat ‘yung binibigay ko sa bawat laro namin.”
