PVL: Kat Tolentino aptly playing off-the-bench role for Choco Mucho

Choco Mucho’s Kat Tolentino.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Kat Tolentino embraces her new role for Choco Mucho, promising to be always ready to provide the spark off the bench in the second 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

From being the Flying Titans’ main scorer, the star opposite spiker has been coming off the bench in the past two tournaments– including the team’s bronze finish in the VTV Cup in Vietnam last August–with the emergence of Caitlin Viray as a starter. 

Tolentino has no problem with her new role given to her by coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“I just have to be patient and understand that we all have our roles and whatever role he gives me, I have to be ready, I have to be more prepared. Of course, I was able to score in spiking but, like in serve, I have to be more controlled and more consistent in case if ever he does need me,” said Tolentino after scoring all her four points in the third set of their 25-18, 25-13, 25-17 win over Farm Fresh on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.

“Just always being ready, I think that goes for any player or any athlete,” she added.

Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Alinsunurin, who took charge as the Flying Titans coach last January, lauded the former Ateneo star’s readiness and acceptance of her new role, believing that the best is yet to come for her.

“Kat is always ready. I always tell her to wait for her time because her chance will come when the team needs her. She has to be patient,” said the Choco Mucho coach in Filipino. “What’s important was she was able to show what she can do for our next matches.”

From only playing sparingly in their 18-25, 16-25, 26-24, 21-25 loss to the depleted Creamline last week, the two-time PVL Best Opposite Spiker was happy to help Choco Mucho enter the win column and improve to a 1-1 record.

“I think I was a bit excited. I had a lot of adrenaline but going into the game, I was confident because I was practicing in training. I think any player who was on the court, they were ready. It was good that we’re able to contribute,” Tolentino said. “It really showed our character even if we were down by a lot [in the first set], the fact that we could fight back and win and then keep the momentum.”

The Flying Titans eye their second win against the Cignal HD Spikers on Thursday at Ynares Center Antipolo.