Along with the arrival of Sisi Rondina, her former University of Santo Tomas teammate Caitlin Viray has also showcased her skills for Choco Mucho in the opening week of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
The 5-foot-8 spiker has been the starting opposite hitter for the Flying Titans in their first two games, both of which resulted in straight-set victories.
Viray has made a positive impact as a member of Choco Mucho’s First Six, contributing 13 points through 11 attacks and two blocks in their game against Farm Fresh last Thursday.
In the match against Foton on Saturday, she scored seven points, making a blazing start to the conference while Kat Tolentino played off the bench.
With Viray’s emergence, Rondina couldn’t be happier to see her former beach volleyball partner growing with the Flying Titans in the UAAP Season 79.
“Naaappreciate ko siya,” quipped Rondina on fellow Golden Tigress Viray.
“Masaya ako na sa team ng Choco Mucho siya nag-grow. Makikita mo talaga kung ano na yung nilalaro niya, ano na yung level kumbaga. I think lahat ng learnings and experiences niya sa past na liga nila, nagain niya and inaccept niya,” added the 5-foot-6 scorer.
Viray’s sudden rise can be attributed to the unwavering support and trust given to her by Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin, and she intends to make the most of it, as demonstrated in her performances.
The lefty spiker aims to continue her scoring barrage when the Flying Titans face F2 Logistics on July 11.
“Naging mindset ko is ibalik yung tiwala na ibinibigay sa akin ni coach so every time na maglalaro, I see to it na ibigay yung best ko,” said Viray.
While many were surprised by Viray’s performance at this conference, Alinsunurin was not.
He knows that Viray can deliver at any moment, which is why she has been a starter in the team’s first two matches.
“Sa akin kasi ito talaga yung ineensayo namin mula nung nalaman namin yung start ng game kaya sobrang tiwala ako sa kung ano man yung pinapasok ko sa loob ng court tiwala talaga ako kaya sabi ko nga, kahit sino naman dito pwede kong gamitin,” said Alinsunurin.
“Syempre sobrang thankful din ako sa nagiging performance niya kasi hindi niya kami pinapahiya. Deserve naman niya yung posisyon na yun. Alam niya na yung tiwala na binibigay namin sa kanya, sinusuklian.”
