Des Cheng is expected to play a bigger role in the Choco Mucho Flying Titans' PVL All-Filipino campaign as they near the end of the preliminary round.
Des Cheng is slowly but surely regaining her old form, seeing more minutes this time around for Choco Mucho against Akari in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Initially being fielded as a service specialist to start the conference, Cheng found herself as a starter in the Flying Titans’ four-set win over the Chargers, 25-21, 19-25, 25-19, 25-15, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, February 8.
The former DLSU star contributed four points in the win, the most she’s had since returning from her knee injury.
After the match, coach Dante Alinsunurin spoke highly of Cheng, whom he considers a big contributor to the team moving forward.
“Nakita ko nung last two weeks na talagang anytime puwede na siyang gamitin. Thankful ako kasi nag-deliver din naman siya and kahit nung bandang huli may mga sitwasyon lang ako kailangan mapalitan siya,” Alinsunurin said during the post-game press conference.
However, the multi-titled tactician is wary of Cheng’s injury history, wanting to make sure that she will not risk getting injured once more.
In 2023, the 28-year-old spiker suffered her second ACL injury which forced her to miss 11 months of action.
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“Ayaw ko talaga siyang madaliin kasi alam ko, player din ako, na nakita ko ‘yung nanggaling sa ganung sitwasyon,” Alinsunurin explained. “Sabi ko na dito ka muna sa training talaga magiging okay na ‘yung galaw pag dating sa laro, kasi ako rin naman ang pupuntahan na pinilit ko siya maglaro na hindi pa ready.”
But given her recent performance for the Flying Titans, Alinsunrin looks to give more minutes to Cheng as she looks to deliver even bigger performances for the team.
“Sa susunod na game mas magagamit ko pa siya kasi alam ko na anytime may mga maging struggle ‘yung mga outside hitter namin, magagamit ko siya,” Alinsunurin bared.
Cheng will have her next go against the Nxled Chameleons on Thursday, February 13 still at the PhilSports Arena.