ANTIPOLO – Choco Mucho overcame Des Cheng’s injury to finally snap its five-game losing streak against Cignal, winning 25-21, 25-19, 25-18 in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Ynares Center here.
The Flying Titans managed to break their losing streak against the HD Spikers even without Cheng, who went down with a right knee injury after an awkward landing from a spike attempt in the second set. This victory moved them to a 2-1 record in the standings, tying them with PLDT and Chery Tiggo for the fourth spot.
The last time Choco Mucho won against Cignal was on April 6, 2022, in the bronze series of the Open Conference.
“Sobra sobrang laking bagay sa amin ng pagkapanalo kasi matagal na naming ito iniintay, mula sa first conference, hanggang second conference, ngayong third conference, nakuha namin,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Choco Mucho managed to secure two consecutive successful challenges on Isa Molde and Maddie Madayag’s attacks, followed by an ace from Kat Tolentino, bringing them to match point at 24-16.
Two consecutive attack errors from the Flying Titans kept the HD Spikers afloat, but Molde had other plans, hammering down an emphatic cross-court hit to finally end their dry spell against Cignal.
Sisi Rondina, who fought through cramps in the final moments of the third set, tallied a game-high 18 points with 16 attacks and two aces, along with 10 excellent digs and five excellent receptions after an hour and 32 minutes of action.
Tolentino, who played her first full game this conference, regained her old, deadly touch and scored 14 points. Maddie Madayag and Molde, who filled in for Cheng, had 12 and 11 points, respectively, in the win.
Deanna Wong held things together with 16 excellent sets while Thang Ponce registered 18 excellent digs for Choco Mucho.
Choco Mucho will face Galeries Tower next on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang ang performance ng team namin kasi yun lang naman kailangan namin, ang basagin ang kanilang kumpyansa sa laro pagdating sa Cignal,” Alinsunurin added.
Rose Doria and Ces Molina paced the HD Spikers with 11 points each as Cignal suffered their second consecutive loss of the tournament, falling to 1-2.
Cignal will try to end its slump against Akari on Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
