The Choco Mucho Flying Titans are slowly but surely readying their injured stars back in the lineup ahead of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The availability of players will be a huge factor for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in their upcoming 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference campaign.
While Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag's status is still unclear--given their current playing status with Alas Pilipinas--coach Dante Alinsunurin has shared significant updates on the progress of the team’s injured players.
Among them is Des Cheng, who suffered an ACL tear in her right knee during the second set of Choco Mucho’s straight-set win over the Cignal HD Spikers on October 28, 2023.
According to Alinsunurin, Cheng has resumed training but noted she has yet to make full strides in her recovery.
“Si Des, nag-start na rin mag-training. Pero siyempre, sobrang baba pa nung porsyento sa ginagawa [niya] roon, 20% pa lang sa talagang totally na ginagawa niya,” Alinsunurin told reporters during the Collegiate Press Corps Awards Night.
[ALSO READ: Choco Mucho star Des Cheng shares her happy place as she recovers from ACL injury]
Alinsunurn, who was honored as the CPC’s UAAP Men’s Volleyball Coach of the Year, likewise shared that Kat Tolentino has started her training again and is a bit closer to her full recovery.
Tolentino took a short break from the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference due to an auditory condition.
“Si Kat naman, nag-start na rin siya. Siguro at least mga 50% na 'yung ginagalaw niya. Onti-onti na ring nakaka-recover,” said Alinsunurin.
Meanwhile, middle blocker Aduke Ogunsanya, who suffered an ACL tear for the second time in under two years, is still in the rehabilitation phase.
Her injury, which occurred in the same manner as her previous one in July 2022, has ruled Agunsanya out for nine to twelve months, effectively sidelining the middle blocker for the rest of the 2024 PVL season.
“Si Aduke, ganun pa rin. Nagre-rehab pa rin para 'yung movement niya maiayos ulit,” said Alinsunurin.
With these in mind, Alinsunurin expressed hope that all three players will make significant progress before the start of the next PVL season.
The National University tactician also mentioned that the team is looking forward to the upcoming PVL draft, hoping to acquire additional players who can contribute to their campaign.
“Siyempre makakatulong talaga sa amin eh, sana maging maayos ulit sila bago dumating 'yung opening ng PVL kasi sigurado makakatulong sa amin, sa sitwasyon namin na talagang kulang na kulang kami sa player,” said Alinsunurin.
“Umaasa nalang kami ngayon sa drafting na mangyayari kung sinoman 'yung available na puwede rin makuha,” he added.