The Deanna Wong-less Choco Mucho opened its 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference campaign with a 25-12, 25-22, 25-18 sweep of Nxled, Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Wong missed the contest due to a nagging knee injury but the Flying Titans leaned on young playmaker Mars Alba to dictate the tempo in their opening win over the Chameleons.
“Sa ngayon syempre thankful ako sa naging performance namin. First set pa lang kami na yung nag-dictate ng tempo hanggang dun sa dulo, although may mga time na nakakadikit sila. Buti pinipilit pa rin namin maka-perform ng maayos,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
The Flying Titans established a six-point, 19-13 advantage in the third frame before Aduke Ogunsanya and Sisi Rondina committed consecutive errors, which was followed by a Krisch Macaslang hit that allowed Nxled to slide the lead to just three points.
Both squads traded attacks before Rondina and Maddie Madayag powered a 3-0 spurt that pushed Choco Mucho at match point, 24-17.
Rondina’s attack sailed out in the following play before Alba initiated a perfect 1-2 play that caught the Chameleons off guard to seal the win.
Choco Mucho, despite the win, suffered a huge blow in the latter part of the third set as Ogunsanya suffered an apparent left knee injury after a bad landing off a block attempt. The middle blocker out of La Salle managed to walk on her own after spending a couple of minutes on the floor.
“Syempre ngayon medyo malungkot dahil sa hanggang ngayon ‘di namin alam kung ano yung nangyari kay Aduke. Basta importante samin ngayon kailangan lang talaga i-check kung ano yung gagawin,” said Alinsunurin.
Reigning MVP Rondina scored 17 points to go along with 10 excellent digs and two excellent receptions for the Flying Titans.
Kat Tolentino added 12 markers on nine attacks, two blocks, and one ace while Cherry Nunag and Isa Molde had 10 and eight markers, respectively, in the victory.
Choco Mucho will face off against the Brooke Van Sickle-led Petro Gazz in what is expected to be a blockbuster match-up on Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. at the Philsports Arena.
Leading the Chameleons is Macaslang with seven points while Ivy Lacsina, who made an early return from a right knee sprain, had six markers in her Nxled debut.
The Chameleons look to bounce back against PLDT also on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m.
