FILE–Dindin Santiago Manabat in the 2021 AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship. – CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines – Dindin Santiago-Manabat said she is still looking to return abroad, but her focus now is with Akari in the 2023 All-Philippines Conference of the Volleyball Premier League, which opens in Next Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
When she split from Chery Tiggo after six years, sources revealed that the 29-year-old was keen for her to return to the global stage with Korea is her next ideal destination.
Although she signed an agreement with Charger for the 2023 PVL season, Manabat said she received an offer but she did not reveal the teams nor the country.
“Opo, meron po [offer abroad]. Actually naka-pass ‘yung papers ko doon pero pinagdedesisyunan ko pa and siyempre kailangan ko pang kausapin ang Akari, si Tita Mozzy [Ravena],” Manabat told reporters.
[Yes. There’s an offer abroad and I already passed my papers but of course, I still have to make a decision and talk to Akari and Tita Mozzy.)
Manabat assured her focus and commitment is with the Chargers as she leads a young team under Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito.
“I will honor my contract and focus [with Akari],” she said in Filipino. “And then we’ll see if my offer to go abroad goes through.”
FIRST AKARI
Spike star wings are eager to lead the Akari youth teamincluding Trisha Genesis, Erika Raagas, Lycha Ebon, Michelle Cobb, Jaja Maraguinot and Dani Ravena — a group she considers her new home.
“My overseas plan is still 50-50. Of course, [Akari] is my new home and new family. At least I’ll still be by your side [my daughter] chloe and [husband] Chico,” she said. “I will not close the door to play abroad. But for now, I want to focus on helping my Akari family first.”
If Manabat decides to return to the global arena and ends up in Korea, she will be the first Filipino player to compete as an import in the country. This will also be her fourth time competing abroad after playing in the Japanese V.League for Toray Arrows in 2018 and Kurobe AquaFairies next year.
She also had a short time with Nakhon Ratchasimateam with Mylene Paat at the 2022 Thailand Volleyball Tournament.
Leading a new team starting next week when Akari battles Choco Mucho at the Big Dome, Manabat is determined to lead the Chargers to a fresh start and also learn from her younger teammates.
“New team, new challenge. I want to help them get to Final Four and hopefully the final. That’s what I’m expecting. And I believe we can,” she said. “Our team may be young but these are hard-working players who are full of joy but brave when they step onto the pitch.”
“I want to learn from them and the coach Jorge. For me to move forward, I am willing to learn and explore these changes [in my career]She added.
Akari is looking to rise up in her second PVL tournament after finishing eighth in her first campaign, led by imported Prisilla Rivera, in last year’s Boost Conference.
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