MANILA – Maddie Madayag is stepping into the shoes of former Choco Mucho captain Bea de Leon — and she has willingly accepted the challenges that come with it.
De Leon made a high-profile move to the defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers during the off-season of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
With Choco Mucho left with no captain, it was time for the "Madzilla" to step in.
"It's a challenge but I'm willing to accept the challenge kasi 'yun naman 'yung binigay ng coaches sa akin, and binigyan nila ako ng trust," Madayag said to reporters at the PVL Media Day on Sunday in Mandaluyong City.
The Flying Titans are entering the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference armed with momentum coming from a silver finish last tourney, and Madayag said they consider it a "big deal."
"Sobrang laking tulong no'n especially sa experience namin kasi wala eh, very mababa 'yung morale namin coming into first conference last year kasi seventh place all the time, so sobrang laking big deal for the team na meron kaming podium finish last conference," the newly named skipper said.
"Parang na-realize din namin na kaya pala namin 'yon. Nakaabot pala kami do'n," Madayag, in awe of their previous performance, said.
Looking at the current situation of the team, Madayag gave an overview as the newcomers — Mars Alba, Bia General, Mean Mendrez, and Royse Tubino — adjust to the system of mentor Dante Alinsunurin.
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Madayag said they are being patient with them.
"Siguro nag-a-adapt pa 'yung mga bago sa sistema, knowing na bago pa lang sila so tinataasan talaga namin 'yung pasensya para sa isa't isa, para mas makuha nila 'yung system ni coach Dante (Alinsunurin)," she shared.
Their training with the new recruits bore positive results, Madayag said.
"So far, 'pag nagte-training naman kami, nakikinig naman sila sa gustong mangyari ng mga coaches. So far, okay naman 'yung pinapakita nila sa 'min," she went further.
Hard work will eventually pay off, Madayag believes, as they set their sights on the upcoming All-Filipino Conference.
"Siguro for us, hindi na namin iniisip na kailangan naming maging gano'n 'yung performance agad agad," she said. "Siyempre pinagtrabahuhan din namin siya, and sinasabi rin nila coach na darating din 'yan basta trumabaho kami nang maayos."
Madayag said they will take it "one game at a time," as they embolden their efforts towards their goal — a repeat of Finals appearance.
"Pag-start ng conference, one game at a time lang kami, 'di namin iisipin agad na kailangan namin umabot kasi unang una, we have to be at the present para makuha namin 'yung goal namin na makabalik sa Finals," said Madayag.
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