For Dante Alinsunurin, his Choco Mucho is undoubtedly the challenger in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference Finals.
But the first-year head coach knows that the Flying Titans are slowly getting close to the level of the Cool Smashers, a six-time PVL champion.
“Syempre kami yung challenger dito, sila yung matagal na sa taas. Kami yung nagta-try na abutin sila o mapantayan,” said Alinsunurin after Choco Mucho bowed to Creamline in Game 1 last Thursday.
“Sa tingin ko naman, kami medyo malapit na rin pero sabi ko nga kailangan lang talaga natin i-maximize ano yung meron kami, ano yung kailangan naming gawin and syempre mas sanay talaga Creamline sa ganitong laro,” he continued.
In the 13 conferences they’ve competed in the country’s premier league, the Cool Smashers have yet to miss the podium, collecting six golds, three silvers, and three bronzes. And by the end of this series, they will add another gold or silver.
However, the Flying Titans are proving themselves to be worthy competitors for the crown, snagging a set but still succumbed in four, 25-23, 19-25, 26-24, 25-22, in a jampacked SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Despite the loss, Alinsunurin still holds his head up high with the fight his team displayed in their first-ever Finals appearance.
“Syempre makikita mo naman yung ginalaw namin ngayon talaga. Talagang kahit down kami nakaka recover kami, nanalo pa kami ng isang set sa sitwasyon na yun. Ayun nga thankful ako sa naging performance namin,” shared the decorated men’s side tactician who is looking to do the same in the women’s action.
More importantly, all is not lost for Choco Mucho since this is a best-of-three affair and it hopes that just like in the semifinals, it can pull off a turnaround.
Game 2 is set on Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum and if the Flying Titans come through, Game 3 is on Tuesday, still at the Big Dome.
“Sabi ko nga sa kanila, kailangan lang natin tanggapin kung ano yung nangyari sa atin today para tomorrow diba bago lang ulit, kailangan lang mag mindset kung ano yung gagawin, kung ano yung adjustment na pwedeng gawin sa susunod na game,” he shared.
