Choco Mucho averted disaster, overcoming Chery Tiggo in five sets, 25-16, 25-11, 23-25, 19-25, 15-12, in the crossover round of the 2024 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
The Flying Titans found an unlikely hero in Mean Mendrez, who is still recovering from a knee procedure.
Mendrez led the charge with a team-high 18 points, including 14 attacks, two blocks, and two aces. And her performance helped Choco Mucho snap a two-game losing streak and improve to 2-4 in the standings.
“For me, super laking bagay po sa akin na pagkatiwalaan po ako ng coaches and syempre ‘yung teammates ko na laging nandiyan na feel na feel ko talagang nakasuporta talaga,” said Mendrez, who was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Royse Tubino.
Choco Mucho appeared in control after easily taking the first two sets, but close losses in the third and fourth sets nearly derailed their momentum.
The Flying Titans, however, rallied in the fifth set, jumping to a red-hot 12-5 start led by Mendrez, and eventually put away the Crossovers.
“Sobrang happy ako sa naging performance kasi talagang kailangan namin talagang manalo dito sa laro na ‘to. Sobrang thankful ako kasi binigay sa amin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Although, hindi (madali), talagang trinabaho din ng Chery Tiggo. Pero at least ngayon nakita namin na kahit papaano (kahit) na-down kami ng apat na talo, lumalaban pa rin yung team kaya sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance namin,” he added.
(C) PVL Images
Dindin Santiago-Manabat contributed 17 points in the victory, while Maddie Madayag tallied 11 points, including four blocks.
Greek import Zoi Faki delivered an all-around performance with 10 points, nine excellent digs, and eight excellent receptions.
Deanna Wong tossed 19 excellent sets along with four points, while Thang Ponce chipped in 14 excellent digs for Choco Mucho.
The Flying Titans will aim for back-to-back wins when they face Creamline on Saturday at 5:00 PM at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, Khat Bell led Chery Tiggo with 25 points and 11 excellent receptions, but the Crossovers fell to 4-2 after absorbing their second loss of the tournament.
Pauline Gaston added 13 markers, while Ara Galang finished with 10.
The Crossovers will look to bounce back against the winless ZUS Coffee on Saturday at 1:00 PM.
