PVL: Choco Mucho, Alinsunurin hope to overcome stars’ absence

PVL coach Dante Alinsunurin of Choco Mucho receives his award from the Collegiate Press Coprs during its awards night on Monday. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin braces for big adjustments in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July as they are set to miss Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag.

Alinsunurin, who was hailed by the Collegiate Press Corps as the first-ever UAAP Men’s Volleyball Coach of the Year on Monday evening, bared some updates ahead of the upcoming second conference, where former MVP Rondina and veteran middle blocker Nunag will miss the action due to their duties with the Philippine women’s volleyball team.

Although the Alas members won’t play in the midseason conference due to the upcoming FIVB Challenger Cup in July and SEA V.League in August, the two-time PVL silver medalist coach is still hoping to get their players back in the latter part of the Reinforced or in the Invitational Conference in September, where the top four of the import-laden tournament will qualify and play with two guest teams.

READ: Dante Alinsunurin sculpts UAAP title after PVL shortcoming

“They won’t be able to play in the [early part of the conference]. That’s for sure. Because of the competitions in July and August. But we’re hoping that once the SEA V.League is done, they can make it at least in the Invitationals,” Alinsunurin told reporters. “We are currently requesting if they can rejoin our team after those leagues.”

For now, Choco Mucho is seeking to sign free agents, which he didn’t disclose, and draft players in the first-ever PVL Rookie Draft, where the Flying Titans will select the 11th pick.

“We’re hoping to sign free agents and use our draft picks to help our team and fill in the void in the second conference,” Alinsunurin said.

READ: Dante Alinsunurin back with PH men’s volleyball team as assistant

“We want to draft the players who can help us. It’s hard to give a specific position because we’re drafting the second to the least but we’re looking for a middle blocker, an outside hitter, and an opposite spiker.”

Alinsunurin, though, bared that Kat Tolentino, who missed the latter part of the All-Filipino Conference due to an auditory condition, is slowly regaining her form, while Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya are still recovering from their ACL injuries.

“Kat has started [training with us]. At least her movement is back to 50 percent and she’s slowly recovering,” he said. “Des has started training but she’s still working her way back, she’s at 30%, while Aduke is still undergoing rehab.”