‘Knock on wood’: Kat Tolentino excited to see Choco Mucho back in near full strength in new PVL season

After quite some time, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans are finally nearing their full strength in the upcoming 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Injuries have hampered Choco Mucho’s run in the past few conferences, with Des Cheng going down with an ACL injury and Kat Tolentino being sidelined due to an auditory condition.

But with the two set to make their healthy returns to the team, the Flying Titans are expected to finally go all out and seek their first-ever PVL title.

[ALSO READ: 'I’m fully recovered': Des Cheng ready to make her PVL comeback for Choco Mucho]

For Tolentino, the 6-foot-2 opposite hitter has learned to play through her condition, readying herself once more for the new season.

“I can’t hear in my left right now, so it’s not so bad actually, it’s just getting used to the feel of playing like this,” Tolentino told One Sports during the 2024 PVL Media Day.

“Luckily, the vertigo and dizziness have been controlled and I’ve been okay the past few months. So, knock on wood,” she added.

Tolentino took a break from competition last April due to an auditory condition she developed. While she was able to make some stints for the Flying Titans back in the Reinforced Conference, the 29-year-old spiker clearly wasn’t her full self just yet.

“I had to be patient and I’m slowly getting back there and I think team has been really good in supporting me,” said Tolentino. “It’s important because it puts less pressure on myself and I don’t have to worry as much about pressuring myself to rush back into the game if I’m not ready.”

“I really admire how the team steps up whenever a player goes through an injury, not just me, but we all have our own contribution to the team,” she added.

With Tolentino ready to compete once more, along with the returning Cheng, the upcoming All-Filipino Conference could be the Flying Titans’ chance at glory, especially after their subpar run last conference.

“I’m very excited. I know that we really worked hard every conference, it’s just that last conference wasn’t our best. But for me, as an athlete, I think it’s all part of the process,” said Tolentino.

“I’m excited because yes, Des is coming back, and we will have a more full team. I really think this team has gone through a lot so hopefully this conference will really show how hard we worked,” she added.