Tolentino out for rest of season?

MANILA, Philippines — Is Choco Mucho standout Kat Tolentino returning for the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals slated next week?

Flying Titans coach Dante Alinsunurin said they have set their minds that she may not.

“Hindi pa namin alam kung kailan siya makakabalik,” said Alinsunurin referring to his talented opposite spiker, sidelined for weeks now due to “auditory issues” and could still be out when they take on Farm Fresh today in their final elimination-round assignment at the PhilSports Arena.

“Pero ngayon pa lang, ipinapalagay loob namin na baka hindi na siya makakabalik this conference,” he added.

Choco Mucho was one of the four teams that earned a free pass to the semis following PLDT’s heartbreaking 24-26, 26-24, 25-17, 28-26 defeat to sister squad Cignal Saturday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

PLDT fell to 7-2, allowing Choco Mucho, Creamline, Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo to advance with their identical 8-2 slates.

For MVP candidate Sisi Rondina, focus should be on picking up the pieces following a stinging 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 defeat to Creamline Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“Back to the drawing board,” she said.

Preceding the 6 p.m. duel between Choco Mucho and Farm Fresh (3-7) is the 4 p.m. face-off between Capital1 Solar (1-8) versus Nxled (3-6).