Dindin Manabat registered her best game so far with her new team, Choco Mucho, on Tuesday night against her former team, Akari.
After an eight-point debut last Thursday against Cignal, the 6-foot-2 opposite spiker delivered a team-high 16 points.
However, that did not stop the Flying Titans from falling to 0-2 in Pool B of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference.
Choco Mucho failed to capitalize on its strong start, bowing to Akari via reverse sweep, 25-18, 25-16, 21-25, 23-25, 13-15, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Despite the loss, Manabat acknowledged the improvements on the Chargers’ side, which retooled during the midseason break by acquiring Ivy Lacsina, Kamille Cal, Cams Victoria, and Dani Ravena.
The team also brought in head coach Taka Minowa, who was previously with Nxled.
(c) PVL Images
“Happy ako na nakatapat ko sila. Alam ko na ang dami nilang adjustment kasi syempre ‘yung brother-in-law ko na nga ‘yung coach nila doon,” said Dindin, older sister of Jaja Santiago, who is the wife of Minowa.
“Super happy ako, wala akong galit sa kanila kasi lahat naman sila, naging pamilya ko sila, friends ganiyan. So super happy ako. Hindi man namin nakuha ‘yung result, happy ako na nakatapat ko sila. Friendly game. Walang sama ng loob, walang galit, walang ano,” she added.
Manabat signed with Akari at the start of the 2023 season, spending four conferences there before the management released her along with Trisha Genesis, Bang Pineda, and Roselle Baliton with the hope that they would sign with Nxled.
Obviously, that did not happen as Manabat opted to join the Flying Titans. Despite the rocky start, the 30-year-old veteran has no regrets about signing with her current team.
(C) PVL Images
“Hindi ako nagda-doubt. Sabi ko nga, super happy ako na naging part ako ng Choco Mucho Flying Titans kasi sobra silang mag-warm welcome. Warm welcome talaga ‘yung ginawa nila sa ‘kin,” said Manabat.
“Walang pagsisisi sa pagkuha nila sa ‘kin, walang pagsisisi na pinili ko sila kasi lahat ng mga teammates na nandiyan is very positive–kung ano man ‘yung nangyari today at saka nung past games namin, sobrang positive sila.”
With the conference compact, Manabat said that there’s no time to weep but instead use it to improve their performance.
They look to enter the win column on Saturday against ZUS Coffee before facing Capital1 and Petro Gazz before the next round.
“Halos lahat ng teams nag-iimprove so hindi kami pwedeng mag-relax dito so everyday is napakaimportanteng araw para mag-training, para lahat ng mga pagkakamali, lahat ng errors namin or lahat ng kulang kailangan kinabukasan ma-training namin,” shared the National University product.
“Bumangon ulit. Hindi pwedeng iiyak or umiyak ka na lang. Iiyak mo lang. Pero pagdating kinabukasan kailangan makabangon at makabalik ka.”
