Finally returning to action, Kat Tolentino is grateful to be able to contribute again to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL.
Tolentino has been sidelined for most of the year due to a ruptured appendix but she hardly missed a beat, pouring in 15 points in their 33-31, 26-24, 25-23 sweep of Capital1 in the PVL Reinforced Conference opening day.
‘I think I’m just thankful to be back and be able to play alongside the team,’ said the veteran opposite spiker. ‘That in itself is already a blessing for me. Being able to contribute is also a plus but I know there’s still more I can give and it was really a team effort.’
It was not the first time that Tolentino had dealt with health issues after also missing a chunk of the 2024 season due to an auditory problem, but the struggles have not dampened her determination to return to action.
‘I was thankful to coach Dante and the team that they welcomed me back with open arms,’ said the former Ateneo Blue Eagle. ‘It took a long time, but I had to make sure that I was mentally and physically healthy and ready to come back 100%. I didn’t want it to be something that I felt forced to do.’
Tolentino’s first game back after a long layoff impressed Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.
‘I’m really impressed and I salute Kat. Every time something happens to her, she’s so patient and determined to come back,’ said Alinsunurin in Filipino. ‘I’m super proud of how she performed-she really gave her best.
‘At first, I was nervous since it was her first game back, but once I saw how she was moving in the first set, it felt like her usual self again, and I had full trust in her from that point on.’
Tolentino and Choco Mucho, though, will have to replicate-or even surpass-their Tuesday’s efforts when they meet Capital1 again after the PVL decided to replay all the opening games due to the dispute over International Transfer Certificates.