Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Dindin Santiago-Manabat within the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s move to Choco Mucho was surrounded by issues. But that, along with the rough start of the Flying Titans within the PVL Reinforced Conference, didn’t dampen her surprising decision to leap ship.
“I’m not doubting [my decision to transfer],” Santiago-Manabat said in Filipino late Tuesday after the Flying Titans suffered a shocking second consecutive loss within the Reinforced Conference by the hands of her former team Akari, 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13.
The veteran hitter’s transfer was preluded by a swap between sister teams Akari and Nxled, which saw Santiago-Manabat moved to the Chameleons, a trade which PVL president Ricky Palou has said he was not in favor of as earlier reported by the Inquirer.
Apparently, neither was the previous National U superstar, who asked out of her contract with the franchise to transfer to a different club, which turned out to be Choco Mucho.
“I’m completely happy to be a component of Choco Mucho Flying Titans because they gave me a warm welcome so I don’t have regrets selecting them because all of my teammates are very positive,” Santiago-Manabat said.
“Whatever happened today (Tuesday) and the past game (a sweep loss to Cignal), [the Flying Titans] were still really positive,” she added. “So for me, whatever is occurring to the team at once, possibly we’re just meant to learn something—you could’t be on top on a regular basis.”
Santiago-Manabat also said she left Akari on good terms, thus there was hardly any sick feelings when she faced her former teammates.
“I’m completely happy to play [Akari]. I do know that they’ve loads of adjustment because my brother-in-law (Taka Minowa) is their coach now … I don’t have anger towards [the Chargers] because all of them were my family and friends,” she said.
“We can have not gotten the result that we wanted but I’m completely happy to play against them. Friendly game. No hard feelings and anger. Whatever my performance was today, it was for Choco Mucho,” Santiago-Manabat added after leading the Flying Titans with 16 points within the loss to the Chargers.
Consistent contender
Choco Mucho has emerged as a consistent title contender prior to now two All-Filipino Conferences, clashing with sister team Creamline within the Finals of those tournaments but settling for bridesmaid finishes.
The absence of its principal weapon Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, who’re fulfilling their national team duties with Alas Pilipinas’ training camp in Japan, is heavily felt by the remaining Flying Titans who’re still constructing chemistry with Santiago-Manabat and other free agent signings.
Greek reinforcement Zoi Faki has also yet to make her presence felt after producing underwhelming numbers in her first PVL stint.
“We actually need to work for what we’ve, [Choco Mucho] has been reaching the ultimate 4 however the challenge doesn’t end there,” Santiago-Manabat said. “There may be a challenge each day that we want to beat.”
Meanwhile, the league has postponed the games on Thursday because of the inclement weather brought by supertyphoon “Carina” (international name: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon.
The Pool A matches between Farm Fresh (0-2) and PLDT (2-0), Creamline and Nxled (each 1-1) and Galeries Tower (0-2) and Chery Tiggo (2-0) shall be rescheduled to a later date with the league open to the potential for a four-game day schedule to accommodate the games.
