Despite their short preparation, Choco Mucho team captain Bea De Leon said that the Flying Titans are ‘adjusting really well’ to the system being implemented by new head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Alinsunurin, who was tapped by the Rebisco-backed squad to replace Oliver Almadro for the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, only joined the team last December but De Leon shared that despite the time constraint, the Flying Titans were able to make great progress in adapting to their new style of play.
“We do have a new system and so far we’re adjusting really well naman. He’s a very quiet man but he teaches very well. Hopefully little by little, in time this season makuha namin talaga siya,” said De Leon.
“We wish we had a bit more time but everyone’s in the same boat naman e. Little by little I think it’s coming together sa training.”
Choco Mucho actually started the 2022 season on the right foot after reaching the semifinals of the Open Conference before losing to Cignal in the bronze match which relegated them to fourth place.
Things, however, turned south during the Invitational Conference after most of their players contracted COVID-19 which put their campaign in peril. Making matters worse, they lost middle blocker Aduke Ogunsanya – who has been playing really well at the time – to an ACL injury.
The Flying Titans ended up in seventh place in the Invitationals.
Choco Mucho took another blow, this time in the middle of the season-ending Reinforced Conference, after Almadro resigned from his post in the middle of the tournament. Once again, the Flying Titans settled for seventh place.
Still, despite all that, the former Lady Eagle is confident that the team can turn things around in the 2023 season especially now that they got a fresh start with Alinsunurin.
De Leon also said that the Flying Titans are eyeing their first-ever podium finish this coming All-Filipino Conference.
“New coach, new motivation, new hopes. I think everybody’s gonna do a lot better,” said De Leon.
“We’re definitely looking for the podium finish. With our new coach, we’re confident naman na kakayanin naming makadating,” she added.
Choco Mucho will open the PVL festivities on February 4, Saturday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum when they take on Akari at 3:00 PM.
