Royse Tubino delivered her best performance in a Choco Mucho uniform after stepping up to the plate in lieu of the recovering Kat Tolentino in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
With Kat Tolentino sidelined due to an auditory condition, Royse Tubino has been picking up the slack for Choco Mucho in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Tubino has stepped up in absence of Tolentino, filling the void at the opposite hitter position to help the league-leading Flying Titans inch closer to a semis berth.
“Siguro, nagma-mindset ako ng mga teammates ko and coaches na kailangan talaga ako na mag-step up kasi wala si Kat, kailangang mag-step up for them and para sa Choco Mucho,” the 31-year-old stalwart said.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Kat Tolentino expected to be back for Choco Mucho amid recovery from auditory condition]
As if on cue, Tubino delivered her best performance in a Choco Mucho uniform on Saturday.
She put up 17 points in a straight-set win over also-ran Strong Group Athletics, allowing the Flying Titans to rise to 8-1 and move a win away from punching their ticket to the next round.
For the 5-foot-9 veteran, she simply wanted to repay the collective trust given by Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin and her teammates.
“Siguro naka-mindset lang ako na magta-trabaho ako nang maayos and sa trust na binibigay ni coach Dante, binibigay ko ang best ko,” Tubino said.
“Si Coach Dante naman, hindi ako binibigyan ng pressure. Basta gawin ko lang yung best ko, gawin ko lang ‘yung nilalaro ko. Lalabas naman kung ano ang ine-ensayo namin sa game.”
Tubino is one of the four acquisitions of Choco Mucho in the offseason. After making a jump from PLDT to her new team, it took a while before she found her bearings within the Flying Titans.
Although Tolentino’s absence presents a challenge for Choco Muco, Tubino has seized the opportunity to bolster her confidence.
“Oo, kasi kailangan ko ng confidence coming sa mga games namin. ‘Yung trust ng mga teammates ko, mga coaches ko, nabo-boost ang morale ko. Umaangat siya, talagang napapalo ko, naba-block ko, nadi-depensa nang maayos,” Tubino said.
Tubino and the rest of Flying Titans look to sustain their fine form when they collide with defending champions Creamline Cool Smashers in a rematch of the Second All-Filipino Conference Finals on April 18, Thursday.