MANILA, Philippines — Dindin Santiago-Manabat mentioned there aren’t any onerous emotions between her and former staff Akari after her switch forward of the PVL Strengthened convention.
Santiago-Manabat met her former staff, now coached by her brother-in-law Taka Minowa, for the primary time however the Chargers despatched her new staff Choco Mucho to their second straight loss on Tuesday Philsports Area.
Manabat’s greatest recreation of 16 factors as a Flying Titan went for naught with the 18-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-23, 15-13 meltdown.
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“I’m joyful I obtained to play towards them. I do know they needed to make a variety of changes since my brother-in-law is their coach. I’m tremendous joyful, and I’ve no onerous emotions as a result of they had been all like household and associates to me,” mentioned Manabat, who had 14 spikes, one block, and an ace.
“It was a pleasant recreation with no onerous emotions or anger. No matter my efficiency is immediately, it’s for Choco Mucho,” she added.
At 0-2, Choco Mucho is having its worst begin in franchise historical past since becoming a member of the league in 2019, whereas Akari earned its greatest begin since becoming a member of the professionals two years in the past.
Regardless of the Flying Titans’ file to date, Mananbat has no regrets along with her resolution to change groups as a result of she is aware of that they’re simply getting began.
“I’m tremendous joyful to be a part of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans as a result of they gave me such a heat welcome. I’ve no regrets about becoming a member of them, they usually don’t have any regrets about selecting me as a result of all my teammates are very optimistic,” mentioned the 30-year-old spiker. “No matter occurred immediately and in our previous video games, they continue to be very optimistic.”
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“Despite the fact that we didn’t win this time, perhaps it’s instructing us that we’re not at all times on prime. We actually must work onerous for what we’ve. The challenges don’t finish right here. Daily, there are at all times challenges we have to overcome.”
Manabat, who scored eight factors on her Choco Mucho debut final week, believes she nonetheless has so much to enhance to assist the Flying Titans enter the win column.
“My efficiency remains to be missing. I do know I’m one of many veterans and somebody the staff depends on, however I simply must belief the system and this system. It’s too early to really feel down as a result of in each recreation, the ball is spherical, and everybody has an opportunity,” she mentioned.
“I actually have to be one of many optimistic ones for many who look as much as me as their huge sister. I can’t doubt myself or be damaging. There are a lot of challenges, however we have to overcome them.”
Choco Mucho, which continues to overlook Alas Pilipinas gamers Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, seeks to rise from a 0-2 file on Saturday towards ZUS Espresso.