Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Dindin Santiago-Manabat in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net
MANILA, Philippines — Dindin Santiago-Manabat said there are no hard feelings between her and former team Akari after her transfer ahead of the PVL Reinforced conference.
Santiago-Manabat met her former team, now coached by her brother-in-law Taka Minowa, for the first time but the Chargers sent her new team Choco Mucho to their second straight loss on Tuesday Philsports Arena.
Manabat’s best game of 16 points as a Flying Titan went for naught with the 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13 meltdown.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference
“I’m happy I got to play against them. I know they had to make a lot of adjustments since my brother-in-law is their coach. I’m super happy, and I have no hard feelings because they were all like family and friends to me,” said Manabat, who had 14 spikes, one block, and an ace.
“It was a friendly game with no hard feelings or anger. Whatever my performance is today, it’s for Choco Mucho,” she added.
At 0-2, Choco Mucho is having its worst start in franchise history since joining the league in 2019, while Akari earned its best start since joining the pros two years ago.
Akari Chargers’ coach Dindin Santiago Manabat. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Despite the Flying Titans’ record so far, Mananbat has no regrets with her decision to switch teams because she knows that they’re just getting started.
“I’m super happy to be part of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans because they gave me such a warm welcome. I have no regrets about joining them, and they have no regrets about choosing me because all my teammates are very positive,” said the 30-year-old spiker. “Whatever happened today and in our past games, they remain very positive.”
READ: PVL: Oly Okaro, Akari rally past Choco Mucho
“Even though we didn’t win this time, maybe it’s teaching us that we’re not always on top. We really need to work hard for what we have. The challenges don’t end here. Every day, there are always challenges we need to overcome.”
Manabat, who scored eight points on her Choco Mucho debut last week, believes she still has a lot to improve to help the Flying Titans enter the win column.
“My performance is still lacking. I know I’m one of the veterans and someone the team relies on, but I just need to trust the system and the program. It’s too early to feel down because in every game, the ball is round, and everyone has a chance,” she said.
“I really need to be one of the positive ones for those who look up to me as their big sister. I can’t doubt myself or be negative. There are many challenges, but we need to overcome them.”
Choco Mucho, which continues to miss Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, seeks to rise from a 0-2 record on Saturday against ZUS Coffee.