FILE–Deanna Wong Choco Mucho Flying Titans. PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Deanna Wong will play through a shin injury as Choco Mucho tries to get over the hump in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Invitationals, which opens on Saturday next week at San Juan Arena.
Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro said that while his ace setter is still recovering from her recurring injury, Wong will still suit up in the midseason tournament where the top four teams will play foreign squads from Japan and Taipei.
“She’ll be playing but right now she is not yet one hundred percent. She’s still recovering, doing therapy to be game-ready for this conference,” said Almadro, who graced the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum last Tuesday. “She’s in training.”
The crowd-favorite playmaker played through a shin injury in the semifinals of the Open Conference, but it was also the reason why she begged off from the Philippine women’s volleyball pool before the SEA Games.
Wong had a stress fracture on her shin when she helped Ateneo rule the UAAP Season 81 in 2019.
“Her injury on her shin and calf is recurring. Right after college, it has been her problem,” the Choco Mucho coach said in Filipino. “She’s going through therapy. Here in the Philippines, athletes should keep on taking care of their bodies. Strengthening should be continuous.”
Almadro also revealed that Des Cheng is also going through therapy for her previous injury. But the former La Salle star will also play and she’s on her way to one hundred percent recovery.
“Right after our (previous conference), she had therapy because of her previous injury. Now, I guess, she’s okay not yet one hundred percent, but going there,” he said.
The Flying Titans will continue to miss Maddie Madayag as she continues to recover from an ACL injury last year.
Expecting better team chemistry from his wards this time, Almadro is hoping to get over the semifinals hump after missing the finals for back-to-back seasons
“We’ll focus on the strengthening. Hopefully, their good camaraderie and cohesiveness throughout the training will turn into winnings this coming conference,” he said. “Not to count out all the teams, they are also preparing. But I am confident with my players, and they’re happy with their training. Hopefully, we turn that into winning.”
Choco Mucho opens its campaign against Chery Tiggo to highlight the Invitationals opener on Saturday next week at San Juan Arena.