Choco Mucho has surged to an impressive 3-0 start in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, and according to veteran Kat Tolentino, the credit goes to their unwavering commitment to head coach Dante Alinsunurin's system.
Following a stellar debut against Nxled, Choco Mucho faced a challenging week with back-to-back victories over formidable opponents Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo.
These triumphs propelled them to the top of the standings with a solo lead and a pristine 3-0 record.
Tolentino attributes their success to the team's dedication to Coach Dante's system.
"I think it’s sticking to Coach Dante’s system even if whatever team we do play, we can’t control what they do and just control our side," she explained. "I think that’s what we did earlier; we stuck to the defensive pattern in blocking and floor defense."
The 6-foot-2 opposite spiker showcased her prowess on the court, delivering a stellar performance with 17 points against the Crossovers, including 13 attacks and four blocks.
Tolentino emphasized the importance of discipline, stating, "That’s what we have to continue to be disciplined about because teams will have great players. It’s what we can do on our own that will decide if we can win or not."
Reflecting on their nail-biting five-set victory over the Angels and a momentary lapse in the third set against Chery Tiggo,
Tolentino sees these challenges as valuable learning experiences for the team.
"I think it was a good learning experience from the first game [this week] in Petro Gazz," she said. "I saw how we really ended the sets this game, even if we lost the third. It’s not something we dwelled on like Petro Gazz. Yeah, I think we’re just continuing to learn every game, and I look forward to the upcoming ones."
As the former UAAP champion looks ahead, she hopes the lessons learned from facing the Angels and the Crossovers will translate into success when they clash with Cignal on March 14.
"We’re just gonna prepare the same as always, go back to training, move on from this win, and learn more. We have a long time to prepare; hopefully, we can learn more and get more chemistry."
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