PVL: Alinsunurin impressed with Choco Mucho pick Lorraine Pecaña

Choco Mucho pick Lorraine Pecaña in the PVL Rookie Draft.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin believes that drafting Lorraine Pecaña is a timely boost for their upcoming campaign in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference, which opens on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

Arellano product Pecaña was the lone NCAA stalwart selected in the first round after the Flying Titans added the young middle blocker to their roster before passing up in the second round of the inaugural PVL Rookie Draft last week at Novotel.

Alinsunurin said he was impressed with the 5-foot-10 middle blocker’s skills during the combine. He also believes Pecaña has a lot of room for improvement.

READ: PVL: Greek Zoi Faki boosts Choco Mucho in Reinforced Conference

Choco Mucho was the first team to draft an NCAA player, Lorraine Pecaña of Arellano. #PVLDraft2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/nQ8z2kbtd1

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) July 9, 2024

“[We drafted her] because of her height and then I saw her skillset during the combine. I can see that Lorraine will improve more,” Alinsunurin told Inquirer Sports in Filipino.

The 23-year-old Pecaña will team up with Maddie Madayag, Maika Ortiz, and newcomer Luth Malaluan as the Flying Titans will miss injured Aduke Ogunsanya and Cherry Nunag due to her commitment to Alas Pilipinas.

“Lorraine will help our rotation since Cherry and Aduke won’t be with us this conference,” Alinsunurin said.

Pecaña was surprised to be selected by Choco Mucho as its lone pick, being one of the four NCAA players drafted with Razel Aldea of the University of Perpetual Help and fellow former Lady Chiefs Donnalyn Paralejas and Dodee Batindaan.

“I didn’t expect to be their first-round pick and their first choice,” said Pecaña in Filipino. “I am so happy with the trust given by Choco Mucho and I promise not to waste this opportunity.”

READ: PVL: Dindin Santiago-Manabat ‘huge help’ for Choco Mucho

The former Arellano stalwart, who will team up with fellow Lady Chief Regine Arocha, is looking forward to learning from Alinsunurin and her idol Madayag.

“I am honored to learn from coach Dante knowing that he gives a chance to all of his players, trusting every member of his team,” she said. “I also look up and idolize our middle blockers. Since I started watching volleyball, I dreamt of teaming up or playing against them.”

Choco Mucho, which also misses former MVP Sisi Rondina due to her training camp in Japan and SEA V League stint with the Nationals, looks to sustain its momentum heading to the midseason tournament from back-to-back finals appearances in the past two All-Filipino.

The Flying Titans, who signed Greek import Zoi Faki to reinforce Deanna Wong, Mars Alba, Royse Tubino, Isa Molde, Kat Tolentino, and new addition Dindin Santiago-Manabat, open their Reinforced Conference against the Cignal HD Spikers on Thursday. 

They are slated in Pool B with defending champion Petro Gazz, ZUS Coffee, Akari, and Capital1.