PVL: Choco Mucho’s bronze push means more than just a medal, says Dante Alinsunurin

It’s been a tough postseason campaign for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

That’s why coach Dante Alinsunurin acknowledged the emotional weight of a potential bronze medal finish amid the odds stacked against them.

Despite failing to reach their goal of making the Finals, the Flying Titans kept fighting hard to end their losing skid in the bronze medal series, winning Game 2 over the Akari Chargers in four sets.

Now on the verge of claiming a podium finish, Alinsunurin believes the achievement goes far beyond the result on the court.

“Sobrang laki [ng halaga],” Alinsunurin said during the post-game press conference. “Hindi lang naman para sa'min ito, para din sa mga sumusuporta sa'min sa families namin, sa mga taong laging nandiyan, naghihintay na manalo kami o makakuha ng medalya. Sobrang thankful kami sa tiyaga nila.”

Alinsunurin also emphasized that it’s the Choco Mucho fans' unwavering presence, whether they’re winning or struggling, that motivates the team to keep fighting.

“Kaya sabi ko sa team namin, ang importante is ‘yung gusto talaga nating ibigay sa kanila. Trabahuhin natin para maging maganda ‘yung resulta ng game,” he added.

[ALSO READ: Sisi Rondina savors long-awaited win as Choco Mucho stays alive for PVL bronze]

With the bronze medal race going to a deciding Game 3, Alinsunurin says they’ll stick to the same values that helped them get this far.

“Ico-continue ulit namin ‘yung pasensya sa ginagawa namin kasi ito ‘yung naging susi kanina,” he shared. “At ‘yung communication sa loob ng court—every time na nagsa-struggle kami, laking bagay ‘yun.”

“Pag-aaralan ulit namin kung ano pa ‘yung puwede naming ilamang in between match-up and situation namin.”

[ALSO READ: Dante Alinsunurin stays hopeful as Choco Mucho aims to still salvage a PVL bronze]

Game 3 of the Choco Mucho-Akari series is set for Saturday, April 12 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.