Choco Mucho rookie Lorraine Pecaña delivered her best performance yet in the pros during a five-set thriller against Galeries Tower in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night.
As the only rookie selection in the Flying Titans’ draft class, Pecaña rose to the occasion when her team needed her most. With her sharp instincts and impeccable timing, she recorded three crucial blocks in the fifth set, helping secure their first win of the tournament. Choco Mucho held off a resilient Galeries Tower side, 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12, in what turned out to be a hard-fought contest at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
With seven of the team’s 22 blocks, Pecaña made an undeniable impact on the game. She also posted a career-high 10 points, proving her worth as a solid contributor for a Flying Titans squad eager to bounce back after an opening loss to Petro Gazz.
“Nakinig lang po ako sa mga coaches ko kasi alam na nila kung sino ‘yung mga bibigyan ng bola eh, nakinig lang ako sa kanila tapos nagtiwala lang din ako sa sarili ko na kapag pinalo nila, matik makukuha ko ‘yung bola. Maba-block ko sila,” Pecaña said after the win.
Despite her standout performance, Pecaña admitted to feeling a bit discouraged heading into the fifth set. After committing a service error in the fourth frame, she was uncertain about how to regain her composure. But a brief conversation with head coach Dante Alinsunurin helped her refocus for the final stretch.
“Kagaya nga nung sinabi ko na rookie, tapos kanina ‘yung service error parang first error ko siya sa buong laro ko, na parang paano ko kukunin ‘yung sarili ko sa susunod ko,” the 5-foot-11 middle blocker from Arellano explained. “Kagaya ng sinabi sakin ni Coach Dante, alam niya na nanghihingi na ako ng tulong kanina kasi tumingin na ako sa kanya. Sabi niya na ‘wag ganon, so tinibayan ko lang talaga. Alam ko na na magfi-fifth set, dapat mas matibay ako, mas matibay ‘yung papakita ko kesa sa fourth set na down na down na ako isang mali lang.”
Pecaña’s maturity and resilience came through in the decisive fifth set, where she helped seal the win for the Flying Titans. Her ability to shake off setbacks and deliver when it mattered most is a testament to her growth and determination.
This season marks a significant transition for Pecaña, who is now seeing more playing time after the departure of star middle blocker Maddie Madayag, who signed with the Kurobe Aqua Fairies in Japan's SV.League. The added responsibility has only motivated the 23-year-old from Pililla, Rizal, to step up and prove that she’s ready for the challenge.
“Kagaya nga ng mga sinasabi ko sa mga nag-iinterview sakin, ang laking role nung binigay ni coach Dante sakin, ‘yung posisyon na ‘to na nasa first six ka. Tapos as a rookie, ‘yung tiwala na binibigay niya, nandun na,” Pecaña shared.
For the rookie, this trust from her coaches and teammates is both humbling and inspiring. She knows that with the bigger role comes the responsibility to deliver consistently.
“So dapat ako rin magtitiwala rin ako sa sarili ko kung gaano nagtitiwala rin sakin ‘yung mga kasama ko. Dapat ‘yung tibay ng loob ko, determinasyon ko sa araw-araw na training, ganun din dapat ‘yung binibigay ko sa bawat laro namin,” Pecaña said, her voice full of determination.
