It didn’t come easy, though.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat carried a big chunk of the load in the Akari Chargers’ 25-18, 25-19, 23-25, 25-19 win over the Army Lady Troopers in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday.
Coming into this game as the league's ninth-best scorer, Santiago-Manabat game imposed her will on the court, unleashing 23 points on 20 attacks to go with 2 blocks in the team’s first victory after a dismal 0-3 start—with all defeats coming via straight sets.
But the amiable opposite hitter deflected credit to her teammates, who are putting in the work day in and day out so they could finally give embattled team that win it had been craving for early in the conference.
According to her, the extra effort in the twice-a-day training finally paid off.
“Sobrang saya. Gusto kong i-commend 'yung teammates ko na nagdo-double time. Umaga’t hapon training namin. Talagang pinu-push nila sarili nila kasi gusto talaga naming manalo,” she said after the match at the PhilSports Arena.
Curiously, the 6-foot-2 pro rode the bench in the final stretch of the third set where the Chargers could finish off the Lady Troopers.
Eager to avert a sweep, Army did everything right to steal the said frame, 25-23. The energy spilled over early in the fourth frame but the Chargers just didn’t want to let up this time.
Coach Jorge Edson Souza de Brito is mighty proud of his wards. But he is confident his team has more surprises up its sleeves.
“I’m sure we can do more surprises,” he said.