Lorraine Pecaña embraced Choco Mucho's trust as she delivered with a solid performance in their straight-sets win over Chery Tiggo in the qualifying round of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In arguably her biggest match yet for Choco Mucho, Lorraine Pecaña proved she was more than ready for the challenge.
Pecaña contributed six points, three of which came as blocks, in the Flying Titans’ straight-sets victory, 25-22, 25-22, 25-23, over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference qualifying round at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Saturday, March 1.
After missing two games due to a right ankle sprain, the 23-year-old rookie was eager to return and make an impact for the streaking Choco Mucho squad, now winners of seven straight.
"Matagal ko nang hinintay na makabalik kasi dalawang games nawala ako dahil sa injury. Nasa isip ko, makakabalik ba ako agad? Pinilit ko lang, tinraining ko agad. Gusto ko ipakita ‘yun sa game kasi sa training nagagawa ko naman, so bakit hindi sa laro?” Pecaña shared during the post-game press conference.
“Iniisip ko lang na ilalaban ko ‘yung game na ito. Kasi kung hindi namin ito ilalaban, parang mawawala ‘yung pinaghirapan namin sa eliminations.”
Despite the high stakes, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker embraced the pressure, seeing it as motivation for the road ahead.
“‘Yung feeling na ito, babaunin namin sa next round. Kung panalo kami ngayon, mas papanalunin namin ‘yung susunod na laro.”
Pecaña was the lone draft pick of the Flying Titans in the inaugural PVL Draft, picked 11th overall. She has since been given a bigger role following the departure of Maddie Madayag for Japan's SV.LEAGUE.
[ALSO READ: Lorraine Pecaña slowly building confidence as she fills void left by Maddie Madayag]
With this in mind, Pecaña reflected on the trust given to her by head coach Dante Alinsunurin, knowing that belief in her abilities was what fueled her confidence.
“Kagaya ng sinabi ko dati, ‘yung tiwala ni coach nung kinuha niya ako, dapat lagi kong binabaon sa laro,” she explained. “Hindi niya ako kilala noon. Wala kaming connection, pero kinuha niya ako at nagtiwala siya sa akin nung drafting. Pinulot niya lang ako at sinabing, ‘Sama ka sa team.’”
“‘Yung tiwala nilang lahat sa akin—coaches at teammates—nandiyan na, kaya dadalhin ko ‘yun sa bawa't game.”
[ALSO READ: PVL: Choco Mucho’s lone selection Lorraine Pecaña vows to return trust given to her with 11th pick]
Choco Mucho will next face either the surging PLDT High Speed Hitters or the revitalized ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a best-of-three quarterfinal series.