Kat Tolentino has been with Choco Mucho since she entered the Premier Volleyball League in 2019.
She served as one of the team’s founding players alongside Ateneo teammates Deanna Wong, Maddie Madayag, and Bea De Leon.
It was a rough few years for the bunch, finishing fourth only twice in their four-year run with the Flying Titans.
They then ended up in seventh place five times, including four straight prior to the Second All-Filipino Conference.
Countless injuries and heartbreaks later, Tolentino and the rest of the gang are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
“I think it’s not just the series, but how long it’s taken for Choco Mucho to get to the finals is what I’m so thankful for,” recalled Tolentino after leading Choco Mucho to its first-ever finals appearance in franchise history.
The Flying Titans left it all on the floor on Tuesday night, surviving a gritty Cignal squad in four sets, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, to close out Game 3 of the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
“It’s been a long journey, especially for me since I’ve been with them since the beginning, and just super grateful,” said Tolentino, who fired 17 points on 15 attacks, an ace, and a block in the finals-clinching victory.
Tolentino said that the arrival of head coach Dante Alinsunurin and star open spiker Sisi Rondina played a huge factor in Choco Mucho’s turnaround that saw them assure themselves their first-ever podium finish in the PVL.
“It’s years of hard work with this team and very thankful for coach Dante and Sisi for coming in and bringing out the best in this team and again, super thankful,” said the former UAAP champion.
Up next for the Flying Titans is defending champion Creamline, a team they have yet to beat after nine matchups since they joined the league four years ago.
Despite the odds, the Fil-Canadian opposite hitter likes Choco Mucho’s chances against their sister squad.
She said that the maturity the team has gained this conference – where they went on a 10-game winning streak in the eliminations – will play a huge factor in the blockbuster series.
“I think the maturity of the team going into this whole season will definitely help us. I mean, we’ve gained so much confidence and just the growth even in the past few games, working together, and again learning and sticking to Coach Dante’s system because I think that’s really the key,” said Tolentino.
“We’ve constantly been trying to improve how we adapt, and I think we’re getting there. Hopefully, in the finals, we’ll be able to show even more.”
