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Choco Mucho star Kat Tolentino reveals that she has gone deaf in her left ear, nine months after a yet unspecified auditory issue that triggered severe vertigo and largely kept her out of the last two PVL conferences
MANILA, Philippines – Kat Tolentino was one of the few bright spots as the Choco Mucho Flying Titans opened the five-month 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference with a four-set loss to fellow contender Petro Gazz on Saturday, November 9.
As expected with one of the league’s most popular teams, fans erupted in loud cheers every time the former Ateneo star hammered her signature kills, as she looked like in peak form on the way to a respectable 12-point total in just three out of four sets played.
Little did they know that Tolentino was adjusting with her senses on the fly in her first real taste of heavy minutes in a year, as she made a stunning revelation that she has gone deaf in her left ear for the last nine months.
“It’s different because I’m deaf in my left ear, so all the sounds are coming from my right side so it’s pretty different,” she said after the 25-20, 26-28, 25-21, 25-16 loss to the Angels. “Just even as a person in the arena, it’s different but it’s not something that I can’t deal with.”
“I just have to adjust and understand that this is the condition I have, so I have to get used to it. And so far it’s been okay, it’s just really loud in my right side. But other than that, my team has been really supportive and I’m thankful for that.”
Last May, Tolentino took to Instagram to air out her emotions on the yet unspecified auditory issue, which over time has caused severe vertigo and affected her vision, hearing, and balance — all extremely important areas for a pro athlete.
The issue has affected her so much that she barely saw action the last two PVL conferences, ceding playing time to veteran Royse Tubino.
However, as her playing time ramps up in the new tournament, Tolentino stays hopeful that the issue will eventually correct itself.
“According to the ENT (ear, nose, throat doctor), it hasn’t exactly come back and it’s been almost around nine months. Hopefully it’s not permanent, hopefully it will come back. But right now, I just can’t really hear so much in my left side.”
Despite her debilitating condition, Tolentino figures to still be a big, effective cog in the Choco Mucho machine moving forward as they continue their hunt for an ever-elusive maiden PVL title.
As long as she continues to hear the fans’ cheers on the court and her teammates’ support off it, the sky is still the limit for the Flying Titans star. – Rappler.com
