BACARRA, ILOCOS NORTE — Choco Mucho gave the debuting Perlas a harsh welcome through a 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 sweep in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference on Sunday at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center here.
Down by three, Gel Cayuna willed the Perlas Spikers to within one after two straight drops, 18-19, in the third set.
However, an attack error from Jho Maraguinot followed by a kill from Kat Tolentino restored the Flying Titans’ lead back to three.
Maraguinot atoned for her error to slice the lead to just two. Then a block from Tolentino, followed by an off-the-block hit from Kim Gequillana, restored order for the Flying Titans, 23-19.
Cherry Nunag tried to keep Perlas alive with a kill, but her service error placed Choco Mucho at match-point.
An attack error from Nicole Tiamzon gave the Flying Titans their third win in as many games.
“Siguro nagkakaroon na ng timing yung middle namin at saka sa setter,” said Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro. “But of course, hindi pwedeng tumigil. Kailangan tuloy-tuloy. Lahat ng teams din gumagaling, lahat ng teams nagkakaroon ng cohesiveness. So we really have to maximize also ‘yung familiarity namin, kinakailangan namin ‘yun eh.”
Ponggay Gaston finished with nine points, 22 excellent digs, and five excellent receptions. Kat Tolentino also added nine markers in the win.
Maddie Madayag had eight points, while Deanna Wong registered 22 excellent sets and scored four points.
Choco Mucho survived the Cherry Nunag-led Perlas in the first set. Deanna Wong secured the 1-0 advantage through a drop to cap off the 25-23 win.
The Flying Titans then prevented the Spikers from mounting a comeback in the second set for the 2-0 advantage, 25-20, to move a set away from a sweep.
“Siguro, kailangan pa ng energy. Alam mo naman laro isang araw, laro ulit, so we really need that much energy everyday and every game. Kailangan pa natin mag-improve sa maraming bagay pa,” he added.
Perlas earlier missed the first week of the Open Conference due to health and safety protocols. It was led by the debuting Nunag with 11 points.
Meanwhile, Sue Roces and Heather Guino-o each had eight markers.
Choco Mucho will face Cignal next on Tuesday at 3:00 PM. On the other hand, Perlas will take on Chery Tiggo tomorrow also at 3:00 PM.
