Choco Mucho open hitter Des Cheng is already in stable condition after being carried off the court on a stretcher late in the fourth set of the Flying Titans’ close loss to F2 Logistics in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference on Tuesday night.
Cheng, who scored 13 points on 12 attacks in the loss, had to be taken off the court after suffering from heat exhaustion in the team’s 25-21, 17-25, 25-17, 21-25, 16-18 defeat to the Cargo Movers at the Philsports Arena.
The former La Salle skipper was immediately rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment.
“Okay naman siya, nagchachat na siya sa group [chat],” revealed Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina after the match.
Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin said Cheng needed to rehydrate after suffering from heat exhaustion.
“Dinala siya sa hospital ngayon. Parang kailangan lang niyang mag-hydrate para makarecover siya. Kasama rin yung init saka yung oras ng ano e. Sobrang init,” said Alinsunurin.
“Kasi si Des [Cheng] kasi talagang pawisin siya. Every practice siguro nakaka-eight na shirt lagi ‘yan. Ngayon nga nakatatlo ata siya or dalawa yung ano, yung lagi niyang dalang uniform,” he added.
Despite the loss, Alinsunurin shared that he still feels happy with the outcome of the match, considering that his team learned valuable lessons against the unbeaten Cargo Movers.
The former national team head coach also mentioned that the team has come a long way since his first conference with them in the All-Filipino tournament earlier this year.
“Unang una may score pa rin kami. Saka alam mo yun, yung dating compare mo doon sa first conference namin, sa second conference sobrang layo na namin. Ibig sabihin nandun na kami,” said Alinsunurin.
“Onting onti na lang sa mga mga konting problema but ayun nga, nakita ko lang talaga yung team na kahit lamang yung kalaban composed pa rin.
“Lumalaban pa rin. ‘Di pa rin binibigay. Yun yung natutunan namin ngayong second conference.”
