Caitlin Viray from Choco Mucho. MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—In addition to Sisi Rondina’s rousing return to indoor action, Caitlin Viray has been showing off her vastly improved game, stepping up as a starter in Choco Mucho’s first two victories in the Premier League Invitational Conference. Volleyball of 2023.
Viray thriving as a starter couldn’t have come at a better time for Choco Mucho, who has yet to bring out the full force of the star opposite attacker Kat Tolentino. Tolentino, according to coach Dante Alinsunurin, played sparingly in the first two games as he continues to work his way to the top.
“Seguro ang naging mindset ko es ibalik yung tiwala na binibigay sa akin ni coach. Every time I na maglalaro, I see it na ibigay yung best ko,” said Viray, who scored seven points in his 25-19, 25-19 25-14 victory over Foton on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Center in the city of San Juan.
“[I’m] very happy na maganda yung naging start namin and maganda yung nagiging jelling ng team,” he added.
(My mentality is to repay the trust that the manager has given me. Every time I have the opportunity to play, I make sure to give my best. I am very happy with our good start and our team has gone well, so far. )
Alinsunurin praised Viray’s first two games, including a 13-point conference debut against Farm Fresh last Thursday.
“Sobrang grateful din ako sa nagiging performance niya kasi di niya kami pinapahiya. They deserve naman niya yung na yun position. Yung tiwala na binibigay sa kanya sinusuklian niya,” she said.
(I am grateful for his performance. He is not letting us down and he deserves that position because it corresponds to the trust that has been placed in him).
Rondina, who has led the way in the last two games, was happy that Viray has improved a lot since they last played together for the University of Santo Tomas during their senior year in 2019 when they reached the final of the season 81 of the UAAP but they lost to the Ateneo. led by Tolentino, Deanna Wong, Bea De Leon and Maddie Madayag, who happened to be his fellow professionals.
“I appreciate you. I am happy that your game continues to grow here at Choco Mucho. I think he won and accepted all his learnings and experiences from the past. Cait is really a good player,” Rondina said in Filipino. “Let’s keep doing the work our coaches gave us. I will always be here to help her.”
Viray said that her meeting with her partner Tigress also inspired her in the previous games.
“It brings back memories of when Ate Sisi was my most vocal teammate in UST. Even in training, she is still the first to speak and that gives us energy. Some things never change,” she said.
With Alinsunurin getting a new weapon with the addition of Rondina and Viray’s vastly improved game, the Flying Titans are looking to make the most of their 10-day break before taking on Group B leaders F2 Logistics Cargo Movers on July 11. at Philsports Arena.
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