Choco Mucho’s Caitlin Viray. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Aside from Sisi Rondina’s rousing comeback in indoor action, Caitlin Viray has been displaying her vastly-improve game, stepping up as a starter in Choco Mucho’s first two wins in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
Viray thriving as a starter couldn’t have come at a better time for Choco Mucho, which has yet to draw full strength from star opposite spiker Kat Tolentino. Tolentino, according to coach Dante Alinsunurin, played sparingly in the first two games as she continues to work her way into top share.
“Siguro ang naging mindset ko is ibalik yung tiwala na binibigay sa akin ni coach. Everytime na maglalaro, I see to it na ibigay yung best ko,” said Viray, who scored seven points in their 25-19, 25-19 25-14 win over Foton on Saturday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
“[I’m] very happy na maganda yung naging start namin and maganda yung nagiging jelling ng team,” she added.
(My mindset is to repay the trust given to me by coach. Every time I got an opportunity to play, I see to it that I give my best. I’m very happy with our good start and our team has been jelling well so far.)
Alinsunurin lauded Viray’s first two games including a 13-point conference debut against Farm Fresh last Thursday.
“Sobrang thankful din ako sa nagiging performance niya kasi di niya kami pinapahiya. Deserve naman niya yung position na yun. Yung tiwala na binibigay sa kanya sinusuklian niya,” he said.
(I’m thankful for her performance. She is not letting us down and she deserves that position because she repays the trust given to her.)
Rondina, who has been leading the way for the past two games, was happy that Viray has improved a lot since they last played together for University of Santo Tomas during her final year in 2019 when they reached the UAAP Season 81 finals but lost to Ateneo led by Tolentino, Deanna Wong, Bea De Leon, and Maddie Madayag, who turned out to be their pro teammates.
“I appreciate her. I’m happy that her game continues to grow here in Choco Mucho. I think she gained and accepted all her learnings and experiences from the past. Cait is really a good player,” said Rondina in Filipino. “Let’s just continue to do the job given to us by our coaches. I will always be here to help her.”
Viray said that her reunion with her fellow Tigress also inspired her in the past games.
“It brings back the memories of when ate Sisi was my most vocal teammate in UST. Even in training, she is still the first one to talk and it gives us energy. Some things never change,” she said.
With Alinsunurin gaining new weapon in Rondina’s addition and Viray’s vastly-improved game, the Flying Titans seek to make the most of their 10-day break before facing fellow Pool B leaders, F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, on July 11 at Philsports Arena.