Maddie Madayag begins ‘redemption’ after injury with a win for Choco Mucho 

By NIKOLE JAVIER

Maddie Madayag is back in full action after delivering a morale-boosting victory for Choco Mucho against Akari in the opening salvo of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference last Saturday, Feb. 4.

The middle blocker tallied 11 points for the Flying Titans as they begin their 2023 campaign with a win after missing out on the semifinals of the previous conference.

Madayag sustained her second acute cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in August 2021 and has since been barely in action for the team.

With the arrival of their new coach in Dante Alinsunurin and a new system, Madayag has been making all necessary adjustments to navigate changes.

“I’m very happy na binigyan ako ni coach Dante ng opportunity for my redemption. Kasi ang tagal nung recovery ko and sobrang sakit nang pagkabagsak ko nun. Sobrang saya lang na nakabawi ako ngayong game but syempre, hindi lang kami titigil sa game na to. Tuluy tuloy pa rin. Feeling hindi pa [100% iyong recovery] lalo na sa new system na maa-adapt namin,” said Madayag.

The 5-foot-10 blocker, though, has been playing with no pain at all after the injury kept her sidelined for a long while.

The former Ateneo standout also cleared the air between the team and former coach Oliver Almadro, who is now with Petro Gazz, explaining that they are on good terms.

“[In] good terms naman kami nila Coach O. Excited kaming makita kung paano siya mag-grow as a coach. And kung paano siya mag, kung ano iyong sistema nila kung may adjustments man or hindi. Pero focus muna kami sa galaw namin sa loob ng court para mas ma-polish pa namin,” said Madayag.

Interestingly, it wouldn’t take long for the Flying Titans to meet their former tactician on court as they clash with the Petro Gazz Angels on Thursday, Feb. 9.

The Angels, however, are coming off an opening game loss at the hands of the Creamline Cool Smashers.