CHOCO Mucho avoided what could’ve been their worst start to a PVL conference by beating ZUS Coffee behind a four-set comeback on Friday to improve to 1-2 in Pool B.
Result aside, the Flying Titans made one particular move in the match that left fans puzzled and searching for answers — benching their import for the most part despite being a starter.
READ: Choco Mucho averts disaster, scores first PVL win over ZUS Coffee
For a team to field its foreign reinforcement sparingly in an import-laden Reinforced Conference where they are expected to carry a huge chunk of the scoring load is a rarity, and maybe even unheard of — more so for a Choco Mucho left undermanned by injuries and national team commitments.
But Flying Titans coach Dante Alinsunurin had a clear reason as to why he opted to underutilize his 26-year-old Greek outside hitter Zoi Faki, who finished with just four points in the win.
From his and the coaching staff’s vantage point, Faki has yet to hit optimal physical conditioning and form to go all-out for Choco Mucho, making her an ‘in-game liability’ at least for the time being,
“Nakita ko lang na hanggang ngayon medyo pagod pa rin si Zoi (Faki) sa ginagawa namin kaya nag-decide na lang ako at nakita rin ng coaches namin na mas nababawasan na yung gusto naming gawin sa loob ng court kasi nga mas iniintindi pa namin siya kung ano ang dapat gawin namin,” Alinsunurin said.
Choco Mucho still hopeful
In Faki’s absence, it was their local mainstays Royse Tubino (21 points) and Isa Molde (17 points) who got Choco Mucho over its rare losing hump.
Optimism still remains within the Choco Mucho camp that she’ll be able to hit peak form sooner than later alongside the impending returns of Alas Pilipinas' Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag in August.
“Siguro babalik naman si Zoi. Every day sa training naman talaga, pinu-push niya ‘yung sarili niya. Sana lang maka-ahinga siya and pagdating sa mga kailangan namin sa crucial games o kung anuman na dumating na games, kakailanganin pa rin namin siya.”
“Hindi naman siya (problema pa talaga). Sa akin, importante lang makapahinga siya para kapag kailangan na namin siya, mas healthy siya pagdating ng games.”
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