Dindin Santiago-Manabat of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans at the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Dindin Santiago-Manabat turned back the clock and displayed his vintage form to lead Choco Mucho to its third straight in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Manabat, filling the void left by Kat Tolentino, who underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix, propelled Choco Mucho past contender PLDT, 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18, Thursday at Philsports Arena .
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Manabat dropped 16 points and eight recoveries to support Sisi Rondina, who scored 20 points.
LIVE: PVL All-Filipino Conference – Akari vs. Nxled, Choco Mucho vs. PLDT
The prevailing mindset behind his resurgence is the desire to make history with the Flying Titans this year.
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“I just really want to help the team because I want us to make history with Choco Mucho. I still believe in coach Dante (Alinsunurin). He never tires of guiding us and reminding us,” said Manabat, who scored 19 points last Saturday in his five-set win over ZUS Coffee.
The veteran forward across the street said she was ready to step in for the Flying Titans, who improved to 5-3 with Tolentino expected to miss time.
READ: PVL: Dindin Manabat no hard feelings, regrets facing Akari
“We always say ‘challenge accepted’ because Coach Dante constantly reminds us that we have to be ready and work hard. We just follow the system so everything we do is in sync,” she said.
Manabat offers her game to Tolentino, just as her teammates use their star’s absence as inspiration to keep winning.
“I actually dedicated my game to Kat because she is truly one of my inspirations today. We feel like she doesn’t deserve what happened to her. She is so hardworking and kind. So, I came here with the mentality to win and follow Coach’s system,” she said.
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