Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya pulled a shocker last month when they chose to leave Ramil De Jesus’ F2 Logistics for Oliver Almadro’s Choco Mucho for the coming Premier Volleyball League Open Conference.
As products of La Salle, transferring to the Flying Titans – a squad coached by the Ateneo tactician and with a core composed of mostly Lady Eagles – was the road less taken by their peers.
In recent PVL history, Michele Gumabao and Melissa Gohin, also former Lady Spikers, ended up playing for ex-Lady Eagles head coach Tai Bundit in Creamline, signing in 2018. Up to this day, Gumabao remains with the Cool Smashers.
On the other side of the spectrum, Lady Eagle Dzi Gervacio signed with F2 Logistics for the upcoming season. The Cargo Movers are coached by La Salle head coach Ramil de Jesus.
For Cheng and Ogunsanya this was a decision needed for them to see where they are outside of the confines of Taft Avenue.
“Itong mga players na ito hindi sila nag-sesettle.
“They still want to grow, they still want to do more, and they still want to be the best in what they do,” said Almadro on Rappler Talk.
That’s why even if signing with Choco Mucho means playing alongside their long-time rivals back in the UAAP, it’s a choice Cheng and Ogunsanya have to take.
After all, they are professional players now.
“Siyempre dati school pride yung mindset namin is to always beat Ateneo. Pero this is pro league na, the goal is to share ideas and share talents with teammates,” said the 25-year-old middle blocker out of Iloilo.
“I was happy lang din na nakikitaan nila ako ng potential to fill ‘yung need nila.”
It’s not just the players from who the duo wants to learn new techniques and forms. It also includes the new faces on the sidelines headed by Coach O, as he is fondly called.
Almadro himself is no newbie, amassing 23 combined championships as head coach and as an assistant.
“I want to learn pa sa ibang coaches like si Coach O nga so I’m very happy na sa Choco Mucho ako napunta,” said Cheng.
“I also want to learn and grow with them kasi noong college, ang goal is talunin sila.”
Both spikers played under the successful system of De Jesus for five years. But with them, winners of multiple championships with La Salle and F2 Logistics, joining Choco Mucho, Almadro marvels at how rich the experience of his team is now.
Other new recruits are Isa Molde, Thang Ponce, Cherry Nunag, and Jem Ferrer. They join the core of Bea de Leon, Kat Tolentino, Deanna Wong, Maddie Madayag, Ponggay Gaston, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, all from Ateneo.
“Imagine si Aduke and Des with their championship experience isasama mo sa mga may championship experience din na from Ateneo,” said Almadro. “These players learning from each other, kakaiba.
“With these players with championship experience teaming up, ang gandang tingnan. Sharing their talents, their knowledge, and challenging each other is really helpful for us coaches.”
