Being one of Choco Mucho's original players since its entry into the PVL in 2019, reaching the finals would mean the world for Kat Tolentino.
The former Best Opposite Spiker (2021 Open Conference) has faced a prolonged absence from the title series since the club's inception, coupled with three ACL injuries during her college days.
Putting the past challenges behind, Tolentino and the Flying Titans overcame a setback in Game One of the semifinals against Cignal, rallying from two sets down to position themselves one win away from facing sister club and seven-time champion Creamline in the best-of-three championship round.
READ: Choco Mucho whips Cignal, forces sudden death in PVL semifinals
To secure the semis comeback, Tolentino stressed the need to "humble ourselves" and return to the fundamentals for their decisive showdown.
Despite celebrating the Game 2 victory, she underscored the importance of staying prepared for the upcoming match, anticipating a spirited response from Cignal.
"We have to humble ourselves again and we have to start from the beginning. We’ll celebrate (this Game 2 win) but we have to prepare again for Tuesday because Cignal’s gonna come out with even more fire," Tolentino said.
“We have to keep that fire alive and just continue to be humble and go back to Coach Dante (Alinsunurin)’s system."
Looking ahead cautiously, the 6-foot-2 Fil-Canadian standout draws motivation from the prospect of participating in her first-ever PVL Finals as a Flying Titan.
Should Choco Mucho emerge victorious in the knockout semis match, Tolentino views it as a "career highlight" and a significant accomplishment, considering her longstanding association with the team since its inception.
"It would definitely be one of the highlights of my career. It’s a big accomplishment, especially in the pros. I’ve been with this team since the beginning so it will be such a memorable accomplishment if it happens," Tolentino said.
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