MANILA, Philippines — It was a rough start for Choco Mucho's star playmaker Deanna Wong in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference after sitting out for five months due to minor injury.
But this 2025, Wong showed that all is well now as she suited up for the Flying Titans against ZUS Coffee and propelled the team to victory with her 10 excellent sets, along with seven points.
The 5-foot-8 setter delivered the game-winning play for Choco Mucho in the fifth set to help her team improve to a 4-3 win-loss card.
In her return, Wong bared her emotions and shared how she shook off the before-game jitters.
"A while ago, I was really nervous, and I felt cold. But yes, whatever role that coach gave to me, I will just trust him. We are working hard for this," she said after a 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-9 win over ZUS last Saturday.
"At first, of course, we started slow, but I think that we are already together for so long, and even I was out for months, I was able to comeback faster due to our trainings, so it was not that difficult," she added.
The crowd went berserk in the first frame as Wong chipped in for the first time, 19-17, and delivered a service ace, 20-17.
Despite ZUS taking the first two frames, the Flying Titans had the time to regroup together and pulled a reverse sweep.
The 26-year-old setter also added that amid all the struggles that her team is currently facing as some of the main gunners are unfit to play, the team remains to be optimistic.
"I think it's normal for a team to have their ups and downs, and all of us we became more patient. It came to a point that we needed to regroup, and talk to each other. Slowly, we are returning our ways inside the court."
With Wong orchestrating the plays, four Flying Titans scored in double digits as Sisi Rondina made 25 points, Dindin Manabat scored 19, Isa Molde put up 13 points, and Lorraine Pecaña chipped in 11 points.
Choco Mucho will next face PLDT on Thursday, Jan. 23.