Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin urged the Flying Titans to not dwell on the Game 1 loss to the Creamline Cool Smashers and instead focus on taking Game 2 of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals.
As Choco Mucho teeters on the brink of another championship slip-up, the Flying Titans find themselves in urgent need of a reset, a fact not lost on head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Alinsunurin reminded his players to not dwell on the deflating four-set loss to Creamline in Game 1 of the best-of-three Finals in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference last May 9.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Jema Galanza, Creamline exact revenge on Choco Mucho to draw first blood in Finals]
“Una, sabi ko sa mga players, wag nating dalhin yung nangyari [in Game One]. Kung ano man yung nangyari sa laro namin, iwan na namin sa dugout namin. Kasi mahirap bumangon sa ganitong sitwasyon na alam namin na kami ‘yung challenger dito, Creamline ‘yung defending,” the seasoned tactician said.
The Flying Titans had a promising start in the title-series opener, clinching a 1-0 set lead and even seizing significant advantages in the second and third frames. However, their momentum waned in the late stretches, succumbing to the depth and formidable finishing prowess of the Cool Smashers.
Alinsunurin maintains his belief in Choco Mucho's depth, despite the absence of Kat Tolentino, Aduke Ogunsanya, and Des Cheng, all of whom are recovering from injuries. However, he identifies a crucial shortfall in the team's ability to maintain composure and close out sets in convincing manner.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Maddie Madayag, Choco Mucho dedicate Finals clash with Creamline to injured teammates]
“Siguro ngayon natutunan namin sa sarili namin na ‘yung team namin hindi kulang talaga in terms of lineup. Talagang nagkulang lang kami sa game na ‘yun kasi nagkulang kami sa endgame ng bawat set. Every set, hindi kami humahabol nang mabilisan, pero nung naka-establish kami ng lamang, doon kami nagkaproblema,” Alinsunurin said.
“Siguro ‘yun ‘yung mga natutunan namin na talagang pagdating sa mga ganung bandang huli, talagang ituluy-tuloy namin ‘yung momentum namin para hindi makakuha ng momentum ‘yung Creamline.”
Alinsunurin and the Flying Titans now set their sights on forcing a winner-take-all Game 3, aiming to repay the unwavering support of their fans with a resounding comeback.
“Talagang di namin nakuha ‘yung Game 1. Siguro, pipilitin namin na makabalik sa series na ‘to. Importante andiyan ‘yung mga nagsusuporta sa amin kasi mas gumaganda ‘yung galaw namin pag ‘yung mga tao na sumusuporta sa amin ay naririnig namin lagi,” Alinsunurin said.