PVL: Aduke Ogunsanya, back from ACL injury, gives Choco Mucho lift

Choco Mucho’s Aduke Ogunsanya.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — After recovering from an ACL injury, Aduke Ogunsanya vows to always stay ready for Choco Mucho whenever her number gets called in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference.

The fit-again middle blocker provided the spark off the bench, scoring all of her six points in the third set — the lone frame she played — in Choco Mucho’s  25-11, 25-20, 25-19 sweep of Nxled on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

Ogunsanya may not be a starter for the Flying Titans, who have a deep middle blocker rotation bannered by Maddie Madayag along with Cherry Nunag, Bea De Leon, and Maika Ortiz, but she is made sure to deliver when needed.

“Right now, I’m always ready. Though I am not a starter, the mindset and trust are there any time they call me,” said Ogunsanya in Filipino. “Working on my condition in training doesn’t stop and my coaches are always there to push me and help me catch up with the team’s new system.”

The former La Salle stalwart, who signed with Choco Mucho last year, admitted her recovery journey from a torn ACL in her right knee she suffered last season’s Invitational Conference, wasn’t easy.

“I didn’t expect that my journey in recovering from an ACL injury would be hard and painful because I have a high pain tolerance and I used to play through pain whenever I get injured,” Ogunsanya said. “But [my body got used to it] and I trusted the process.”

After returning to the Flying Titans this conference, Ogunsanya hopes to thrive under coach Dante Alinsunurin’s system, which makes the most of middle blockers.

“Coach Dante’s system in blocking is a challenge because it’s more on lateral movements. But I promise to meet our coach’s standards, slowly and one day at a time. I can see my improvement but I’m not satisfied. I always empty my cup so I can add more every day,” she said.

The Flying Titans have won four straight games to force a four-way tie at 4-2 with PLDT, Petro Gazz, and Chery Tiggo in second place.

“Since we’re bracing for our next opponents, it’s good that our coaches have been giving us confidence, especially the second stringers. By the time we face stronger opponents, I think everyone is ready and everyone is committed to performing anytime we enter the court,” she said.