Challenges often bring out the best in players, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat is living proof.
The 31-year-old opposite spiker has returned from the Premier Volleyball League’s month-long holiday break with a renewed sense of purpose, delivering a stunning 19-point breakout performance for Choco Mucho in their reverse sweep against ZUS Coffee last Saturday.
However, as the saying goes, when it rains, it pours.
Just days after her standout performance, Choco Mucho faced a major blow: Kat Tolentino, the Flying Titans’ other opposite spiker, underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix.
The injury has sidelined Tolentino indefinitely in the ongoing 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Manabat knew she had to rise to the occasion. On Thursday, she stepped up in spectacular fashion, contributing 16 points and eight excellent digs to help Choco Mucho secure a 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 win over PLDT at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
“Actually, ‘yung nilaro ko inaalay ko talaga siya kay Kat kasi isa rin siya talaga sa inspirasyon nitong araw kasi parang hindi niya deserve ‘yung nangyari sa kanya,” shared Manabat, reflecting on her teammate’s misfortune.
“Sobrang sipag niya, sobrang bait niya, so pumunta ako dito – syempre mindset talaga is manalo and susunod lang sa sistema ni coach.”
Manabat’s recent performances mark a stark turnaround from her earlier showing in the conference. In Choco Mucho’s first six games in 2024, she accumulated only 27 points across 15 sets. Now, in just two games this year, she has more than doubled her output, amassing an impressive 35 points.
For the 6-foot-2 veteran, the shift isn’t just about numbers—it’s about embracing responsibility and leading by example.
“Siguro lagi lang namin sinasabi na challenge accepted. Lagi kaming [sinasabihan] ni coach Dante na dapat ready kami, dapat masipag kami. Kumbaga sumunod lang nang sumunod sa sistema para ‘yung ginagawa namin maging synchronized,” she explained.
Manabat’s passion for making an impact with Choco Mucho shines through her determination. “Gusto ko lang talaga is makatulong sa team kasi gusto ko na makagawa kami ng history sa Choco Mucho. Lagi lang naman ako naniniwala kay coach Dante. Hindi niya naman kami pinagsasawaan na sabihan nang sabihan,” she added.
With their latest triumph, the Flying Titans have strung together three consecutive wins, improving to a 5-3 record and taking solo fourth place in the standings.
As Choco Mucho heads into a 15-day break, the team will look to carry their momentum into their remaining preliminary matches against Akari, Nxled, and Chery Tiggo.
With Manabat leading the charge and the team rallying around their system under head coach Dante Alinsunurin, the Flying Titans appear poised to push deeper into the conference.
