Dindin Santiago-Manabat delivered her best performance in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League 2nd All Filipino Conference on Tuesday, and, of course, it had to be against her former team, Chery Tiggo.
The 30-year-old opposite spiker admitted that playing against the Crossovers always ignites a fire within her, as she had been a part of the Chery team that won the 2021 Open Conference.
She contributed 21 points, including 16 attacks, four blocks, and an ace, as the Chargers returned to the win column with a 25-20, 18-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory over Chery Tiggo at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Opo (may added motivation tuwing Chery ang kalaban). Sa akin kasi naiinspire ako na wala man ako sa kanila, gusto ko maging best example pa rin ako na naging part sila ng family ko,” said Manabat, who had stints in Japan and Thailand as an import.
“Kailangan ko lumaban para sa akin, para sa teammates ko, and syempre, ang gusto ko naman palagi para sa team is mabigyan ng panalo eh. Isa sila sa naging inspiration ko dito sa laro na ito.”
With another impressive win against a formidable team, Akari improved to a 2-1 record in the 12-team field of the country’s premier league.
The Chargers previously defeated F2 Logistics in five sets before falling to PLDT in straight sets.
Getting wins against squads considered favorites to win the championship is a testament to Akari’s hard work, according to Manabat.
“Sobrang saya na ito, nakikita na namin yung mga pinaghihirapan namin, yung nalagpasan namin yung mga challenges nung mga nakaraang araw, mga past [conferences]. Syempre lumalabas kung ano yung pinagtatrabahuhan and kung ano yung isinasakripisyo namin everyday,” said the 6-foot-2 hitter.
More importantly, these significant wins are proof that, with continuous commitment to Brazilian head coach Jorge de Brito’s system, the Chargers can elevate their level.
“Syempre, yung program ni Coach Jorge is pinagkakatiwalaan namin yun, lumalaban kami para sa management, and syempre, gusto namin suklian kung ano yung binibigay ng management sa amin.”
