The Choco Mucho Flying Titans will have stars Sisi Rondina, Cherry Nunag, and Des Cheng back in the lineup for the upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
2024 Reinforced Conference record: 2-6 (9th place)
Key additions/returns: Sisi Rondina, Cherry Nunag, Des Cheng
Key Departure: Maddie Madayag
Coach: Dante Alinsunurin
One word to describe Choco Mucho’s upcoming campaign
Redemption.
That will be the clear goal for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans as they begin the new PVL season with a renewed mindset and excitement.
For the first time in a long time, the Flying Titans will finally have a healthy roster with Des Cheng and Kat Tolentino expected to contribute big time to the team’s championship aspirations.
Maddie Madayag’s departure to Japan will definitely sting for the Flying Titans but this should also open the door for other talented middle blockers in the team such as Cherry Nunag, Maika Ortiz, and rookie Lorraine Pecaña.
“Dahil sa pagkawala ni Maddie, medyo malaki ‘yung fi-fill up namin na scoring ni Maddie, siyempre ‘yung presence niya. Kahit papaano bago naman mag-simula itong season makapag-catch up ‘yung mga middle namin,” Alinsunurin said.
“Siguro kailangan namin pagtulong-tulungan talaga na ‘yung mga middle namin is maging effective this upcoming conference,” he added.
[ALSO READ: New Chapter: Maddie Madayag heads to Japan for the Kurobe Aqua Fairies]
Biggest X-Factor for Choco Mucho this season
It shouldn’t come as a shock that Sisi Rondina is the Flying Titan’s x-factor considering their performance in the last Reinforced Conference.
Choco Mucho struggled without the offensive prowess of the superstar spiker, but with Rondina rejoining the team, it’s not hard to see the team reach the Finals once more.
“Siguro talagang ‘yun ang naging problema talaga namin is ‘yung offense. Sabi ko nga, nandun lang ‘yung depensa namin, ‘yung blockings namin, at ‘yung ginagawa namin sa loob ng court pero sa bandang huli ‘yung opensa talaga ‘yung nagkukulang samin,” Alinsunurin explained.
“Sana pagdating ni Sisi and ni Cherry mas mapunan ulit ‘yung mga ginagawa before nung nakapasok kami ng Finals and mag-improve pa kami.”
Could this upcoming All-Filipino Conference finally by the Flying Titans’ chance at glory?
Best-case scenario
A healthy Choco Mucho spells trouble for other teams.
So long as Rondina continues to do Rondina things, with Tolentino and Cheng making significant contributions, the team can win it all in the upcoming conference.
Making the semifinals will be the first goal for the Flying Titans, but should they find their groove right away to start the new season, championship aspirations should slowly be in their minds.
Worst-case scenario
Should the Flying Titans fail to find their groove even with Rondina back in the lineup, the team will inevitably struggle, and injury woes would paralyze Choco Much even further.
A middle-of-the-pack finish for Choco Mucho will be a disappointing start to the 2024-25 PVL season.
Questions will then start to creep in on whether the team should start a rebuild.
Bold prediction
Dindin Santiago-Manabat becomes the perfect complement for Sisi Rondina as Choco Mucho reaches the finals once more.
The 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference will begin on November 9.
Catch the games live on One Sports, One Sports+, and on the Pilipinas Live App.