Dindin Santiago-Manabat remains confident and without regrets about her move from Akari to Choco Mucho, despite the Flying Titans' challenging start in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat has insisted she has "no regrets" about leaving the Akari Chargers after joining the Choco Mucho Flying Titans ahead of the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The 30-year-old opposite spiker signed with Choco Mucho after being part of the offseason swap between sister teams Akari and Nxled, which saw her join the Chameleons alongside Trisha Genesis, Bang Pineda, and Roselle Baliton.
This ultimately was just a quick detour for Santiago-Manabat, who instead decided to boost the Flying Titans’ championship aspirations.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Dindin Santiago-Manabat moves to Choco Mucho ahead of 2024 Reinforced Conference]
But after two games in, Choco Mucho has yet to score a victory in the Reinforced Conference.
Facing their former "Mama Dindin" across the court, the Chargers pulled off an incredible reverse sweep against Santiago-Manabat and the Flying Titans. It's the ube girls' second straight loss in the conference.
Choco Mucho is without their star spiker Sisi Rondina, who is currently training with Alas Pilipinas.
Santiago-Manabat finished with a team-high 16 points, her best performance yet for Choco Mucho.
Despite the loss, Santiago-Manabat had no hard feelings and was happy to go up against her former squad.
“Super happy ako, wala akong galit sa kanila kasi lahat naman sila tinuturing ko na naging pamilya ko sila, friends,” Santiago-Manabat told reporters after the match.
“Hindi man namin nakuha ‘yung result, happy ako na nakatapat ko sila na friendly game, walang sama ng loob, walang galit. Kung ano man ‘yung performance ko ngayon is para sa Choco Mucho,” she added.
With a 0-2 record, Choco Mucho is enduring its worst start since joining the league in 2019. Akari, on the other hand, has achieved its best start since entering the PVL in 2022. The Chargers shuffled their lineup, getting coach Taka Minowa, libero Dani Ravena, spiker Ivy Lacsina, setter Kamille Cal, and middle blocker Camille Victoria. This, along with sign-ups Cathrine Almazan, Stephanie Bustrillo, and Oly Okaro, were enough to tide over the absence of Fifi Sharma, who is also with the national team.
Despite the contrasting fortunes, Santiago-Manabat has no regrets about her decision to switch teams—and for good reason.
“Hindi ako nagdo-doubt. Sabi ko nga, super happy ako na naging part ako ng Choco Mucho Flying Titans kasi sobra silang mag-welcome parang warm welcome talaga 'yung ginawa nila sakin and walang pagsisisi sa pagkuha nila sa akin, walang pagsisisi na pinili ko sila kasi lahat ng mga teammates na nandiyan is very positive,” said Santiago-Manabat.
“Kung ano man 'yung nangyari today at tsaka nung past games namin, sobrang positive sila kaya for me. Hindi man namin nakuha ngayon, siguro may tinuturo lang samin na hindi all the time nasa top ka. Kailangan talaga paghirapan mo kung anong meron ka,” she added.
Amid their poor conference start, the 6-foot-2 spiker is taking on the challenge of keeping the team spirits high, eager to bounce back and secure their first win.
“Nakukulangan pa ako [sa performance ko]. Alam ko na isa ako sa beterano, isa ako sa inaasahan ng team pero siguro mas kailangan ko lang din na magtiwala sa sistema, sa programa, and uulitin ko lang ulit na masyado pang maaga para ma-down kasi every game bilog ang bola, lahat may pag-asa,” said Santiago-Manabat.
“'Yung pagsubok na ito, para mas tumibay pa 'yung team namin, 'yung samahan namin, so kailangan talaga maging isa ako sa mga positibo and para sa umaasa sakin as ate nila, so hindi ako puwedeng mag-doubt, hindi ako puwede maging negative. Madaming pagsubok pero kailangan namin lagpasan,” she added.
Choco Mucho, who are still without Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, aims to grab their first win in the conference against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Saturday, July 27 at 5:00 p.m.