To say that Choco Mucho’s PVL Reinforced Conference has been difficult would be an understatement.
Zoi Faki’s difficulties, on the other hand, have been understated.
The Flying Titans import, who on paper looked to be struggling when compared to the prolific performances coming from fellow reinforcements, admitted that the hardest thing about her struggles is understanding the kind of love and hate that intersect in one of the most popular teams in the league.
“When you play [for] Choco Mucho, you will have bashers, you will have people that love you,” Faki told the Inquirer on Tuesday.
“And for me, it’s something new.”
The newness threatened to drown her. Until Tuesday’s 25-16, 25-11, 23-25, 19-25, 15-12 victory over a tough Chery Tiggo squad allowed the Greek standout—and her teammates—to come up for air.
“It took a lot mentally to get out of this zone and I am glad that it’s over for me and I was able to just focus on my game and get this win today,” she said.
It was just the second win in six games for Choco Mucho in a tournament where the two-time finalist was caught in a baffling spiral.
One of the reasons for that free fall could be its depleted lineup, mainly because of injuries and national team duty of some of its stars, including top gun Sisi Rondina.
But there are other more urgent factors, too.
Shouldering blame
“The big factor here is [the Flying Titans] are starting to again believe in what we want to happen as a team,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said. “In the past games we were really down—even the coaches—and doubting if we can get over the challenges that have come our way.” Faki shouldered the blame for the way things have gone for the Flying Titans.
“I am a big worker, and it’s just I feel like I was taken aback in the game, mostly my mental [game],” Faki, who had 10 points in the victory, said. “I had to overcome multiple things, which is the losses, the comments from the bashers that we have, like this is the reality that we live in.”
Faki is not the most explosive of reinforcements in the tournament. She is far from being the same type of scorer like Marina Tushova of Capital1 and Akari’s Oly Okaro, whose scoring exploits put Faki’s performance under even harsher scrutiny.
But that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t deserve her spot.
The pressure is slowly being lifted off Faki as Choco Mucho slowly finds its footing minus Rondina and fellow on-loan national Cherry Nunag.
Despite the relief of finally notching a win, Zaki is still managing the expectations that could blow up after defeating one of the current heavyweights.
“It’s a good step,” she said. “I don’t want to say too much because then I am setting expectations I don’t want to have on my shoulders.” Faki hopes that feel-good atmosphere lasts as the Titans run through a schedule of must-win games to qualify for the knockout round.
“All I have to say is be nicer to each other; you don’t know what every person [goes through] mentally and physically to get out on the court and perform,” she said. “The main message I want to send is let’s be nicer to each other, you don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes.”