MANILA, Philippines — Dindin Santiago-Manabat is not sweating Akari’s loss to Choco Mucho in their first game of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference, instead expressing confidence that the Chargers can reach their potential.
Akari fell in straight sets to Choco Mucho on Saturday, 15-25, 20-25, 20-25. Santiago-Manabat put up 17 points in the loss, in what was her first game for the franchise after a blockbuster move from Chery Tiggo in the offseason.
“I’m still on stage like I’m still in shock,” Santiago-Manabat said after the game. “It’s a very different feeling. Because it was the first game and then we lost. But I’m looking forward to doing our best.”
Choco Mucho won comfortably in the opening set but the Chargers gave them a tougher challenge in the next two frames. Unfortunately for Akari, they ran out of steam in the end game both times, while the Flying Titans got big contributions from the likes of Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag.
Still, Santiago-Manabat is pleased at the fight that her new team displayed, especially after such a slow start.
“The potential of the children I work with is enormous. And I can see that, because every training, they really push,” she said.
Aside from Santiago-Manabat, Janine Marciano was the lone Akari player in double-digits with 12, although they got a lift from Trisha Genesis off the bench and Jho Maraguinot and Ezra Madrigal had their moments.
Santiago-Manabat believes that given more time, the Chargers should be able to perform better and display improved chemistry — and that this will hopefully lead to on-court success.
“We only gave it a few weeks, we only got together for a few weeks, this is how we’ve been playing. What if we were given the chance to spend a few more months, a few more years, together? ” she said.
“For sure, the potential of the children, the potential of the new entrants, if it is formed, our path will be good. The outcome of the league we will join will be good,” she added.
On a personal level, Santiago-Manabat said she is thrilled with her situation in Akari. The veteran opposite spiker had left Chery Tiggo in December 2022, after a six-year stay with the franchise.
“I’m so happy,” said Santiago-Manabat. “I always say that I want to explore, I want to learn more.”
“Because of course, it’s not silly that we’re called veterans, it’s like, that’s who we are. Of course, I’m very happy here. Because it seems like every time we train, I learn a lot more, and that’s the apology ko, it’s getting longer. So I’m happy,” she added.
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Source: ABS-CBN News