BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Choco Mucho zoomed to its fourth-straight win for a share of the top spot after handing Cignal a three-set beatdown, 26-24, 25-12, 25-17, in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference here at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center, Tuesday.
The win placed the Flying Titans at the number one spot in the standings tied with Creamline. The Cool Smashers also boast a clean 4-0 record.
After a back-and-forth opening of the third set, Choco Mucho eventually put up a 15-10 advantage heading into the second technical timeout.
Deanna Wong, Ponggay Gaston, and Maddie Madayag stretched the lead to nine, 22-13. Rachel Daquis then ended the drought for Cignal.
The HD Spikers showed signs of life by slicing the lead back to seven. But a net touch from Ayel Estrañero and a hit by Shannen Palec ended set three at 25-17.
“I admire my players. They’re really working hard, preparing a lot physically and mentally and spiritually and we thank the Lord for the strength. Alam naman natin laro, isang araw, laro, so we really need the divine strength from Him,” said Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro.
Kat Tolentino was once again flaming hot with 16 points along with 17 excellent digs in the three-set match.
Bea De Leon chipped in 11 markers for Choco Mucho. Meanwhile, Ponggay Gaston had another all-around performance with nine points, 15 excellent digs, and seven excellent receptions
Steering the offense was Deanna Wong with 19 excellent sets laced with three markers.
Choco Mucho averted a late collapse to salvage a 26-24 opening set win for the 1-0 advantage.
The Flying Titans then wasted no time come the second frame. They unleashed a barrage of hits for a 25-12 result, which placed them a set away from the win.
“Slowly, they’re enjoying it. Nagkakaroon na ng cohesiveness. But they have to do it right all time, kailangan pa maging consistent. Habang tumatagal ‘yung labanan humihirap,” warned Almadro.
“I’m just telling [them] to keep the positivity all the time and let’s thrust each other. Kailangan magtulungan kasi hindi pwede dito ‘yung bahala na kasi nakakapagod. So I really admire ‘yung pagtutulungan nila. They’re learning to trust each other more,” the decorated tactician continued.
Roselyn Dora led Cignal with nine points, as no HD Spiker reached double digits in scoring.
Janine Marciano added eight points in the loss. Cherry Vivas and Rachel Daquis each had six markers for Cignal — who dropped to a 1-4 standing.
Choco Mucho looks to make it five in a row against BaliPure on Friday at 1:00 PM. On the other hand, Cignal will try and bounce back against Perlas on Thursday at 3:00 PM.
