Choco Mucho kept its winning streak alive on Thursday, fending off an upset-minded Nxled in a grueling five-set battle, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-9, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena.
Sisi Rondina once again led the charge for the Flying Titans, delivering a stellar all-around performance to help her team rally from a 1-2 set deficit and secure its fifth straight victory. With the win, Choco Mucho climbed to third place in the standings with a 7-3 record.
The former league MVP notched a triple-double, finishing with a game-high 23 points on 21 attacks, a block, and an ace. She also contributed 19 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions in the two-hour, 37-minute showdown.
(C) PVL Images
Choco Mucho came out firing in the deciding set, building an 11-5 cushion behind the combined efforts of Lut Malaluan, Rondina, Royse Tubino, Isa Molde, and Maika Ortiz.
Nxled, however, refused to go down easily. EJ Laure delivered back-to-back hits late in the set, but the Flying Titans held their ground. Rondina broke through the Chameleons’ blockers to bring Choco Mucho to match point at 14-9.
A successful mid-play net challenge on Molde allowed Nxled to save a point, but Molde quickly made amends, sealing the hard-fought victory with a down-the-line kill.
“A win is a win, pero grabe ‘yung kumpyansa ng Nxled kalaban kami. Sobrang ganda ng ginalaw nila, kahit anong adjustments na ginagawa namin talagang nandoon pa rin sila. Sobrang ganda ng nilaro nila,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Choco Mucho took the opening set, 25-21, but struggled to contain the gritty Chameleons in the next two frames, falling into a 1-2 hole.
Tubino provided the spark in the crucial fourth set, scoring three points in a 6-0 run that turned a 16-20 deficit into a 22-20 lead. Nxled, led by Lucille Almonte’s late surge, threatened to close out the match, but Ortiz and Rondina came through in crunch time to force a decider.
Molde registered 12 points, all from attacks, while the pair of Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Ortiz chipped in nine points each. Tubino had seven markers in just three sets played.
Deanna Wong tossed 12 excellent sets to go along with two points, while Thang Ponce collected 15 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions for Choco Mucho.
Choco Mucho will look to extend its streak to six when it faces Chery Tiggo on February 22, as the league heads to Passi, Iloilo.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Nxled, fresh off its first win of the conference against Galeries Tower, dropped to 1-9.
Laure paced the Chameleons with 20 points on 17 attacks, two blocks, and an ace, while also tallying 21 excellent digs and five excellent receptions. May Luna-Lumahan and Almonte added 17 and 11 points, respectively.
Nxled will try to bounce back against the surging Petro Gazz Angels on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.
