Choco Mucho defends team over ‘snubbing’ incident

THE Choco Mucho management finally spoke out and defended members of the Flying Titans against “malicious” insinuations after a supposed “subbing incident” involving the team and a group of fans in Boracay went viral over the past days. 

A video clip uploaded by TV personality and sports enthusiast Kim Atienza Sunday (December 4) made the rounds online after it showed the girls lined up and headed for their shuttle service while fans were greeting them in the background. In the 0.49 second video, it can be observed that the girls seemed unresponsive to fans’ calls and requests for photo. 

Through a Facebook post, the management behind the popular Philippine Volleyball League team said there were instances that the public failed to see beyond the short video that went viral. 

“The team was in Boracay recently for a short break after a busy year of heartbreaking finishes. A video clip from that trip went viral, with netizens portraying some of our players as snobs who lack good manners and right conduct,” the Choco Mucho management said. 

“Unfortunately, what it not included in the viral clip are other videos online showing the players acknowledging and talking to fans, and accommodating selfies and videos with them while trying to have their break,” it added.  

It also said the team’s fans “know how warm, respectful, appreciative, and accommodating the ladies are.” 

“While we acknowledge that our team could have handled that particular encounter in the video better, we denounce malicious posts that put our players, our team, and our company in a bad light,” it added. 

The management further said the “innuendoes” agains the team’s players bring “negativity” to the volleyball community and puts the athletes’ well-being at risk. 

It thanked the fans who continue to support the players and the volleyball community as a whole. 

Image: Screen grabbed from Choco Mucho Flying Titans Facebook

Atienza reposted the team’s management’s response.

“Let me just leave it here FB fam. There are 2 sides to a coin,” he said.  

Image: Screen grabbed from Kuya Kim Atienza Facebook

‘Good manners and right conduct’ 

Among the personalities who called out the volleyball players for their supposed unresponsiveness to supporters was motivational speaker and vlogger Rendon Labador who blasted the members for their lack of “good manners and right conduct.” 

Labrador did accept the team’s explanations and shared a message for the managers of athletes.

“Don’t tolerate your athletes! Palibhasa ordinaryong tao lang yung nabastos, Kaya ang lalaki ng ulo ng mga athletes natin kasi kahit mali pinagtatakpan parin,” he said. 

Image: Screen grabbed from Rendon Labador Facebook

While some fans accepted the explanation, others still demand more accountability from the team.