Choco Mucho leaned on new setter Mars Alba during its opening game in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference as Deanna Wong did not suit up due to a nagging knee injury.
In the Flying Titans’ match against Petro Gazz on Tuesday night, Wong was in uniform but head coach Dante Alinsunurin still went with Alba as their starting playmaker.
Wong played spot minutes to provide new looks during the intense five-set match that Choco Mucho won, 24-26, 25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13.
Just in their second game playing together in the PVL, Flying Titans star Sisi Rondina was glad that her connection with Alba has already showed out.
Despite some miscommunication, Rondina readily took the blame for those miscues knowing Alba is still adjusting to the team.
The De La Salle University product joined Choco Mucho in January after the disbandment of F2 Logistics.
“Sabi ko lang naman kay Mars, taas niya. Kapag nasa harap ako huwag kang mag-alala kung magkamali man ako hindi mo kasalanan yun,” said Rondina, who scattered 24 points and 22 excellent receptions.
“Inaako ko talaga kasi syempre bago pa nga siya sa team namin, ginagawan niya ng paraan na maconnect and kanina, nakikita ko na nag-connect kami,” she added.
Alba tallied 25 excellent sets in the win against the Angels leading to a balanced Flying Titans’ scoring with five players in double digits.
However, the youthful playmaker knows that the team can be a lot better once she adjusts more.
“Medyo nagagamay naman na po pero nakukulangan pa rin ako sa sarili ko kasi kailangan ko rin maghabol talaga kasi ako lang yung bago sa loob eh so kailangan ko habulin yung sistema at yung galaw nila sa loob at magconnect pa,” said Alba.
