Big roles await new Flying Titans

Choco Mucho's offseason picks will be given huge roles in its campaign in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference that opens on 20 February.

Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin carefully and strategically chose veteran wingers Royse Tubino and Mean Mendrez as well as heady setter Mars Alba and defense specialist Bia General to fill in the specific spots that he felt they needed.

"Even before we took them in, we already studied and planned what pieces we needed after the last conference," Alinsunurin said during Choco Mucho's partnership signing with sponsor Allianz PNB Life Insurance, Inc. on Thursday at the Aster Events Place in Mandaluyong City.

The mentor, who steered the Flying Titans to a breakthrough runner-up finish in the 2nd All-Filipino Conference, is determined to unleash the full potential of his latest acquisitions by inserting them in his regular rotation.

"With the arrival of Royse, Mars, Mean and Bia, we'll have better rotation inside the court. With a long conference, we really need to have good players coming off the bench in every position for our rotation," the former men's national team coach said.

Choco Mucho saw the departure of middle blocker Bea De Leon, libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla and Caitlin Viray after the 2023 season.

De Leon and Revilla transferred to the Flying Titans' sister-team and 2nd AFC tormentor defending champion Creamline while Viray joined Farm Fresh.

Alinsunurin admitted that De Leon, the squad's former captain, and Revilla's leadership will be missed but still expressed confidence that the likes of reigning Most Valuable Player Sisi Rondina, Kat Tolentino, Maddie Madayag and ace playmaker Deanna Wong will step up.

"The leadership of those two players will be huge shoes to fill in. The team needs that not only in training but also in games," he said.

"I guess slowly other players will take over the leadership role. What is important is that we already got the pieces we need."