Maddie Madayag.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin is in full support of Maddie Madayag, who will make her overseas debut in Japan.
Madayag will be missing Choco Mucho’s upcoming 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference from November to May next year after signing a contract with Kurobe Aqua Fairies.
Alinsunurin may be missing the team captain and one of their top players but he is proud of Madayag, who will play in the 2024-25 SV.League starting in October.
READ: Maddie Madayag to play in Japan SV.League
“Masaya at proud ako para kay Maddie another achievement ito sa career niya. Hindi kasi lahat ng players nabibigyan ng chance maging import sa ibang bansa lalo na sa Japan pa,” the Choco Mucho coach told Inquirer Sports.
Signing with Kurobe, which hopes to rise from a 4-18 record in 11th place last year, the 5-foot-11 middle blocker will face the top Japanese players and world imports in the top-tier league.
Madayag will also face former Philippine women’s volleyball teammates Jia De Guzman, the setter of Denso AiryBees, and Filipino-Japanese Jaja Santiago of Osaka Marvelous, the reigning Best Blocker and Best Attacker of the league.
Dante Alinsunurin.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Alinsunurin believes the former Ateneo star’s upcoming SV.League stint will be a big boost for the Flying Titans once she returns next season.
“Sobrang excited ako dahil kung ano man ang matutunan niya sa Japan. For sure ma-ishare niya sa team pagbalik niya,” said the decorated men’s volleyball coach, who also handled former Japan V.League players Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo when they won a historic silver medal in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
After missing the Reinforced quarterfinals in ninth place, Alinsunurin can’t wait to have Alas Pilipinas players Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag.
He expects Nunag to step up big time as well as middle blockers Maika Ortiz, Lut Malaluan, and Lorraine Pecaña in the longest PVL tournament yet.
“Sa All-Filipino babalik na ulit si Cherry. Kailangan pa din namin pag trabahuhan. Pero siyempre depende pa din sa ipapakita ng mga middles sa training,” Alinsunurin said.
Choco Mucho reached the past two All-Filipino finals but lost to sister team Creamline in both title series.