Kat Tolentino erupted for 36 points as the Choco Mucho Flying Titans dispelled a five-game dry spell at the expense of the Chef’s Classics Red Spikers, 32-34, 25-12, 23-25, 25-18, 15-11, in 2019 PVL Open Conference at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center, Saturday.
Tolentino rained down 28 attacks while nailing five service aces and three kill blocks. She had to eclipse her previous conference-high 33 points to thwart the feisty Lady Red Spikers and arrest her team’s skid for a 3-6 card.
The Filipina-Canadian hitter also delivered in the clutch. She detonated the backrow bomb that doused Chef’s Classics in the decider, giving longtime teammate Bea De Leon a triumphant Choco Mucho debut.
Shannen Palec chimed in 14 points, while Erika Alkuino contributed 10 points. Kim Gequillana posted a triple-double of 13 markers, 14 excellent digs, and 14 excellent receptions..
Choco Mucho playmaker AC Masangkay dished out 44 excellent sets laced with five points. On the other hand, Bang Pineda tallied 25 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
Nieza Viray poured in 18 points built on 17 attacks. She also had 15 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions that went for naught.
Iris Oliveros managed 17 markers from 11 attacks, four kill blocks and a pair of aces for Chef’s Classics, who remain winless in 10 matches.
Meanwhile, the PacificTown–Army Lady Troopers barely felt the absence of Jovelyn Gonzaga, making swift work of Bali Pure, 25-17, 25-22, 25-18.
Honey Royse Tubino spearheaded PacificTown–Army’s whipping of the Water Defenders. She flaunted her double-edged arsenal, putting up a game-high 17 points on top of 10 excellent digs and six excellent receptions.
Jem Guttierez and Ging Balse-Pabayo were also instrumental in the victory. The former dealt damage from the service line with half of her 12 points coming off aces; meanwhile, the latter supplemented nine markers.
The Lady Troopers rose to 6-4 to remain in the middle of the pack while sending Bali Pure down to 2-9.
Grazielle Bombita and Satrianni Espiritu topped the Water Defenders with seven markers apiece.
PacificTown–Army and Bali Pure next face Choco Mucho on September 25 and 29, respectively. On the other hand, Chef’s Classics will look to barge into the win column against Motolite on Wednesday. All of the matches will be played at the FilOil Arena.
