PVL: Madayag embraces challenge as returning Choco Mucho captain

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Maddie Madayag. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Reinstated as team captain, Maddie Madayag is eager to lead the new-look Choco Mucho, which has four new players, as the Flying Titans seek to sustain their momentum from a finals breakthrough in the previous Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

Madayag was tasked to skipper Choco Mucho anew after the departure of former captain Bea De Leon and Denden Lazaro-Revilla, who transferred to Creamline, and the newest Farm Fresh Foxy Caitlin Viray ahead of the 2024 season.

The Flying Titans were able to plug in the holes by adding setter Mars Alba, wing spikers Mean Mendrez and Royse Tubino, as well as libero Bia General.

Being the Flying Titans skipper again is challenging for the star middle blocker as she will be leading a new set of players.

Maddie Madayag on leading their new players and facing longtime teammate Bea De Leon, who is now with Creamline. #PVLMediaDay @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/um8PQ6iWyr

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 11, 2024

“Right now, my goal is to be a good leader for the team,” Madayag told reporters in Filipino in the PVL Media Day on Sunday. “It’s a challenge because I am just returning as a captain and will be leading a new set of people. So right now, I’m still earning their respect. I want to prove that I deserve to be respected as their leader. I’m willing to accept the challenge because the coaches trusted me and chose me to be the leader.”

The former Ateneo stalwart was pleased with their offseason moves, adding the veteran presence of Tubino, the playmaking of Alba, the floor defense of Bia General, and the scoring prowess of Mendrez.

“We added new weapons to our team,” Madayag said. 

“So far, they’re still adapting to the system. They’re just new to our team so we have to be patient for us to master the system of coach Dante. Last year, it took us a conference or more to get the system ni coach Dante. But they’re very coachable and doing well in practice.”

Madayag believes their maiden finals appearance inspired them to play better unlike their past conferences, where they missed the semifinals and settled for seventh place.

“Coming from the finals, our experience will really help us. It’s a big deal for us to earn a spot on the podium last conference and it made us realize that we can fight. So our four new players will help us to be better,” she said.

“But it will take time for us to reach that level. When the conference starts, we will take it one game at a time without thinking of what should be our place. We have to be in the present for us to be able to achieve our goal of returning to the finals.”

Madayag is also excited to face her longtime teammate Bea De Leon, who transferred to Creamline after five years with Choco Mucho.

“All these years, we’re together inside the court. It’s gonna be different playing against her. But I’m very excited to play against her because she will play under coach Sherwin and will have a different culture. We will see if she’ll be able to adapt to Creamline’s good vibes or if she’ll remain a fierce player. We’re very excited to play against her,” she said.