Choco Mucho’s Regine Arocha. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Regine Arocha proved her worth in her first start this 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference as she helped the depleted Choco Mucho to end a two-game skid.
With Des Cheng sitting out due to stomach flu, Arocha stepped up with 13 points, scoring three in the fifth set, before Kat Tolentino came to the rescue and put on the finishing touches to complete a 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-27, 15-11 victory over Army on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
The two-time NCAA Finals MVP out of Arellano, who just learned that she would be a starter moments before the game, wanted to make the most of the rare opportunity for the Flying Titans.
“Since first time ko ulit maglalaro na kasama ako sa anim parang sobrang gutom na gutom, gigil na gigil ako maglaro na parang bawat bola gusto ko na patayin. Ganun yung nararamadaman ko kaya din siguro ganun din nagawa ko,” said Arocha after her first start since the 2021 PVL bubble.
(Since this is my first time start again. I was so hungry and so determined to kill the ball. That’s what I felt so I think I was able to do those things.)
Arocha, who also had eight excellent receptions, also delivered in the clutch to help Choco Mucho break its slump and improve to a 2-2 record.
“I told my teammates in the fifth to leave it all on the floor and give us all to win this game,” she said in Filipino.
The do-it-all spiker said she is always ready to deliver for Choco Mucho any time coach Dante Alinsunurin calls her number.
“Coach Dante always tells us to stay ready because our time will come. Every time the first six need our help, we, bench players will be ready,” Arocha said.
Arocha hopes they will continue to adopt Alinsunurin’s new system as they continue their campaign against the Cignal HD Spikers on Thursday next week at Philsports Arena.
“We feel that once we follow coach Dante’s system, it will be easier for us to do what our coaches want us to do. We will continue to work hard,” Arocha said.