Choco Mucho's remarkable seven-game winning streak in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference stands as a testament to the Flying Titans' exceptional bench strength.
Under the strategic guidance of head coach Dante Alinsunurin, the players called in from the bench during this triumphant streak have consistently risen to the occasion, becoming pivotal contributors to Choco Mucho's resurgence in the league.
With a 7-1 record, the Flying Titans find themselves in a tie for second place with Chery Tiggo, showcasing the depth and versatility of their roster. Coach Alinsunurin emphasized the importance of a well-practiced lineup in a league as competitive and demanding as this.
"In the current situation, we really need that. In this kind of league, which is quite lengthy, we really need everyone to get enough practice," Alinsunurin expressed on a Tuesday.
"It's crucial that what we ask of the first six, the second six should also be able to execute," he added.
In the recent clash against F2 Logistics, it was Caitlin Viray's turn to step into the spotlight from the bench. Initially the starting opposite spiker for the Flying Titans, Viray demonstrated her prowess by contributing eight points in less than three sets of action, igniting Choco Mucho to a resounding 19-25, 25-8, 25-17, 25-19 victory at the Philsports Arena.
"We're fortunate because we've seen that whoever we pull from the bench, whoever we choose to put in, they deliver," Alinsunurin continued, reflecting on the team's impressive cohesion.
The Flying Titans faced a setback when open spiker Des Cheng suffered an ACL tear in the right knee during the third game of the conference, ruling her out for the remainder of the season. Isa Molde seamlessly stepped into her position for most of the subsequent games, except for one.
In the showdown against F2 Logistics, Molde showcased her skills with a 13-point effort accompanied by 14 digs, contributing significantly to the team's success.
Despite their outstanding record with only three games left in the season, Molde and Viray remain focused on the task at hand, avoiding complacency and keeping their eyes on the immediate challenges.
"At this point, we're not really thinking about the finals. We're taking it one game at a time," Molde remarked, acknowledging upcoming matches against PLDT, Gerflor, and Chery Tiggo.
"We were told by the coaches in the last game not to be content, so there's that eagerness. Our efforts are doubled to reach that goal," Viray added, emphasizing the team's determination to maintain their winning momentum.
