PVL: Dindin Manabat quells talk of bad blood between her and former team

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Dindin Santiago-Manabat in the PVL Reinforced Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIREr.net

Dindin Santiago-Manabat’s move to Choco Mucho was surrounded by issues. But that, in addition to the rough start of the Flying Titans in the PVL Reinforced Conference, failed to dampen her surprising decision to jump ship.

“I am not doubting [my decision to transfer],” Santiago-Manabat said in Filipino late Tuesday after the Flying Titans suffered a shocking second consecutive loss in the Reinforced Conference at the hands of her former team Akari, 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13.

The veteran hitter’s transfer was preluded by a swap between sister teams Akari and Nxled, which saw Santiago-Manabat moved to the Chameleons, a trade which PVL president Ricky Palou has said he was not in favor of as earlier reported by the Inquirer.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference

Apparently, neither was the former National U superstar, who asked out of her contract with the franchise to transfer to another club, which turned out to be Choco Mucho.

“I am happy to be a part of Choco Mucho Flying Titans because they gave me a warm welcome so I don’t have regrets choosing them because all of my teammates are very positive,” Santiago-Manabat said.

“Whatever happened today (Tuesday) and the past game (a sweep loss to Cignal), [the Flying Titans] were still really positive,” she added. “So for me, whatever is happening to the team right now, maybe we’re just meant to learn something—that you can’t be on top all the time.”

READ: PVL: Dindin Manabat no hard feelings, regrets in facing Akari

Santiago-Manabat also said she left Akari on good terms, thus there was hardly any ill feelings when she faced her former teammates.

“I am happy to play [Akari]. I know that they have a lot of adjustment because my brother-in-law (Taka Minowa) is their coach now … I don’t have anger towards [the Chargers] because all of them were my family and friends,” she said.

“We may have not gotten the result that we wanted but I am happy to play against them. Friendly game. No hard feelings and anger. Whatever my performance was today, it was for Choco Mucho,” Santiago-Manabat added after leading the Flying Titans with 16 points in the loss to the Chargers.

Consistent contender

Choco Mucho has emerged as a consistent title contender in the past two All-Filipino Conferences, clashing with sister team Creamline in the Finals of those tournaments but settling for bridesmaid finishes.

The absence of its main weapon Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, who are fulfilling their national team duties with Alas Pilipinas’ training camp in Japan, is heavily felt by the remaining Flying Titans who are still building chemistry with Santiago-Manabat and other free agent signings.

Greek reinforcement Zoi Faki has also yet to make her presence felt after producing underwhelming numbers in her first PVL stint.

“We really need to work for what we have, [Choco Mucho] has been reaching the final four but the challenge doesn’t end there,” Santiago-Manabat said. “There is a challenge every day that we need to overcome.”

Meanwhile, the league has postponed the games on Thursday due to the inclement weather brought by supertyphoon “Carina” (international name: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon.

The Pool A matches between Farm Fresh (0-2) and PLDT (2-0), Creamline and Nxled (both 1-1) and Galeries Tower (0-2) and Chery Tiggo (2-0) will be rescheduled to a later date with the league open to the possibility of a four-game day schedule to accommodate the games.