Fifth-ranked Choco Mucho repeated over eighth-seeded Choco Mucho, picking up a close straight-set victory 25-22, 25-22, 25-23, to punch a ticket in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals, Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The Flying Titans had ended the preliminaries with a 25-18, 25-23, 26-24 triumph over the same squad last Saturday.
Now, they took down the Crossovers anew for their seventh consecutive victory in the tournament.
Choco Mucho needed to dig deep in the third frame, with Lorraine Pecaña igniting a 7-1 run to help the Flying Titans turn a 16-21 deficit to a 23-22 advantage late in the third frame.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Seth Rodriguez blocked Sisi Rondina to knot the scores at 23-all, but Rondina put on an all-around effort in the next play before hammering down the attack that pushed her side at match point.
Rondina then went off the block to complete the win for Choco Mucho, who ended the game on a blistering 9-2 run.
“Siguro thankful ako sa naging performance ng mga player ko. Totally team effort talaga yung ginawa namin. ‘Di lang isa o dalawa yung nag-oopensa sa amin, pero ang laking bagay sa amin is yung floor defense namin,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kasi the more na yung floor defense namin gumagana, talagang lahat ng player ko nagtutuluy-tuloy yung ginagawa na maganda,” she added.
Rondina, a former All-Filipino Conference MVP, finished with a team-high 18 points to go along with 11 excellent digs. Meanwhile, Dindin Santiago-Manabat supplied 13 points, all from attacks, for Choco Mucho.
Mars Alba tossed 13 excellent sets while sharing playmaking duties with Deanna Wong.
Isa Molde saw herself limited to four points after scoring 15 points in their previous outing. However, she added 13 excellent digs and three excellent receptions.
The Flying Titans will face the winner between PLDT-ZUS Coffee in the quarterfinals.
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On the other hand, the Crossovers dropped to Pool B in the play-in, joining Nxled.
Ara Galang paced Chery Tiggo with 18 points on 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces to go along with 12 excellent digs, while Shaya Adorador chipped in 12 points and eight excellent receptions.
Cess Robles had nine points, while Pauline Gaston and Jasmine Nabor had eight and six markers, respectively. Nabor also had 14 excellent sets.
