Dindin Manabat stepped up in place of Kat Tolentino as Choco Mucho notched its third consecutive win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, securing a 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 victory over PLDT at the Philsports Arena on Thursday.
Choco Mucho now holds a 5-3 record, placing them fourth after defeating Farm Fresh, ZUS, and PLDT.
“Una syempre yung pagkapanalo namin inaalay namin kay Kat, nagre-recover na siya ngayon sana mabilis yung pag-recover niya at makasama na ulit namin,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Choco Mucho will miss their 6-foot-2 opposite hitter Tolentino for an indefinite period after she underwent surgery for a ruptured appendix last Tuesday.
(C) PVL Images
The Flying Titans clinched the victory with an emphatic finish in the fourth set, turning a 17-all tie into a 25-18 win thanks to three points each from Cherry Nunag and Sisi Rondina, along with a hit from Manabat.
“Sabi ko nga if ever tayo magdictate ng tempo makukuha natin yung game. Kung anong gawin nila makakaadjust tayo. Yun ang nangyari at nakuha namin lahat ng adjustment namin sa block, sa floor defense namin, lalo na yung serve namin nagfocus kami sa isang target namin para mamaximize namin yung ginagawa ng PLDT,” he continued.
Rondina still led the Flying Titans in scoring with 20 points and 10 receptions, but she had significant support from Manabat, who contributed 16 points and eight digs.
Nunag and Isa Molde also added 12 points each in the victory.
The streaking Choco Mucho team now faces a 15-day break, which could be either advantageous or detrimental. Their next match is scheduled for February 8 against Akari.
(C) PVL Images
Savi Davison was once again a one-woman army for PLDT, scoring 27 points with 15 receptions, but the High Speed Hitters fell to 4-3, tying for fifth place with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
No other PLDT player reached double digits; Dell Palomata contributed eight points, while Erika Santos and Majoy Baron each scored seven.
PLDT aims to regain its winning momentum when they face Cignal on Tuesday at the same Pasig venue.
