Caitlin Viray saved her best for last.
In Choco Mucho’s final game of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, Viray unloaded a career-high 22 points on 17 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces.
More importantly, her effort did not go to waste as the Flying Titans downed Chery Tiggo in straight sets, 25-20, 26-24, 25-15, to finish in seventh place in the 13-team tournament.
But it was not only in this game that Viray showed up, as she had her best conference in the country’s first and only professional volleyball league in this Invitationals.
Choco Mucho’s coaching staff entrusted her with the starting opposite hitter position in lieu of Kat Tolentino, and she did not disappoint.
During the pool play, where the Flying Titans finished at 3-2, Viray was the league’s 19th-best scorer with a total of 48 points, forming a deadly scoring duo with Sisi Rondina, who led the 11-team elimination with 104 points.
Despite a good conference, Viray is not contented and will be back in the gym in no time to prepare for the third conference.
“Happy ako na nakakatulong ako sa team and naibabalik ko at least yung tiwala na binigay ng coaches sa akin,” Viray said.
“Syempre nandoon pa rin yung pressure, hindi naman mawawala yun, pero siguro mas magfofocus ako doon sa kung ano yung kulang pa, kung ano pa yung pwede kong matulong at mai-improve. I’m very happy na nakakatulong ako sa team,” said the left-handed opposite spiker out of the University of Santo Tomas.
Improving, even more, is the goal for Viray as Choco Mucho remained medal-less in its PVL franchise history.
Fourth place was the best the Flying Titans have ever garnered dating back to the 2022 Open Conference.
Since then, Choco Mucho has finished in seventh place in the next four conferences, including this Invitationals. (Jan Marcus Montevirgen)
