Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Deanna Wong during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Deanna Wong made an immediate impact on her return as Choco Mucho started the year right in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
In her first game back since August last year, Wong provided the much-need spark for off the bench, finishing with 10 excellent sets in Choco Mucho’s comeback 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-9 win over ZUS Coffee on Saturday at Philsports Arena.
Article continues after this advertisement
“I felt a bit nervous and cold earlier. Whatever role the coaches give me, I just trust them,” said Wong, who last played in the Reinforced Conference last year and missed the first half of the All-Filipino Conference due to a nagging knee injury.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
“Maybe at first, but since we’ve been together for so long that even though I was gone for a bit, it all came back once I returned to training, so it wasn’t that hard.”
Article continues after this advertisement
Wong credited their first win of the year to her teammates, with Sisi Rondina leading the way with 25 points, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Isa Molde contributing 19 and 13 points, respectively.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Lorraine Pecaña and Deanna Wong during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Grateful. As coach said, it’s a team effort, so I couldn’t have done it without the effort of my teammates,” she said.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin lauded Wong for exceeding expectations in her comeback as the Flying Titans improved to a 4-3 record.
READ: PVL: Deanna Wong embracing limited role for Choco Mucho
“We’re happy with how she played today. We’re gradually giving her playing time because we prioritize her health, so when she’s fully ready for training, she can perform well,” said Alinsunurin.”For now, we’re really thankful because our expectation was for her to come in as a substitute. But when Mars started to struggle a bit, I told her, ‘Deanna, fight for it.’”
“Our game improved because of the effort of our teammates at the backcourt, which really solidified the front. It made everything we did positive. I’m thankful for Deanna’s distribution during the game, especially in the fourth and fifth sets. Hopefully, she stays healthy for our upcoming games.”
Alinsunurin said they still have a lot to work on after their slow start against ZUS Coffee.
Wong said the team is staying patient with their progress.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“I think it’s normal for a team to have their ups and downs. We all stayed patient. It reached a point where we needed to regroup and talk to each other, so that’s what we did. Little by little, we’re regaining our rhythm as a team. We know the problem is within us, so we also know we’re the ones who can solve it,” the star setter said.
