Choco Mucho averted disaster, recovering from a first-set loss to trounce ZUS Coffee, 14-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-18, and earn its first win in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, Saturday.
The Flying Titans raised their record to 1-2, creating a three-way logjam at third to fifth spots in Pool B with Petro Gazz and Capital1, leaving the Thunderbelles as the lone winless team.
“Sa wakas, nanalo rin kami ngayong conference. Matagal namin itong hinintay. Sa dalawang game namin, talagang medyo down kami. Pero ngayon, siguro na-maximize lang talaga namin kung saan kami advantage sa opensa,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
(c) PVL Images
Alinsunurin made a bold move by replacing import Zoi Faki after the first set with Royse Tubino, and that worked wonders up until the end.
Tubino delivered 21 points in three sets of play on an efficient 21-of-42 clip for attacks.
The Greek wing spiker, meanwhile, saw herself limited to just four points in a set and with very limited time in the fourth set.
After taking the second and third frames, the Flying Titans pressed on the gas even more, establishing an insurmountable 18-5 advantage en route to the win.
Isa Molde also had a spectacular game with 17 points, 12 excellent digs, and six excellent receptions. Meanwhile, middle blockers Maddie Madayag and Maika Ortiz had nine and eight points, respectively.
Choco Mucho looks to build on this momentum when it faces Capital1 on Thursday at 3:00 PM.
(c) PVL Images
Japanese import Asaka Tamaru paced the Thunderbelles with 23 points on 18 spikes, three blocks, and two aces she laced with nine receptions and nine digs.
Gayle Pascual chipped in 12 points, while Michelle Gamit and Ypril Tapia got nine and eight points as well.
ZUS will take on unbeaten Akari on Thursday as well at 5:00 PM.
