There’s a first time for everything, and on Tuesday, in front of 6,407 fans, Choco Mucho finally broke Creamline’s code in their 13th attempt.
The Flying Titans staged a massive uprising to execute the reverse sweep against the Tots Carlos-less Cool Smashers, with scores of 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, and 18-16, gaining a headstart in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Choco Mucho finally earned its first-ever win against its sister team after 12 straight losses.
The Flying Titans are the early leaders in the round-robin semis, with a 1-0 record (2 points), and will be joined by the winner between Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz later in the day.
“Well, mahirap ipaliwanag dahil first time namin manalo sa Creamline pero ayun nga, sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance namin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kung hindi dahil din sa teamwork din between players and coaches talaga, sobrang hirap nung sitwasyon namin kanina pero yung mga coaches ko talagang nag-push kami kung ano talagang dapat gagawin namin sa loob ng court and ano pa yung dapat naming adjustments. Sobrang thankful talaga na nakuha namin yung panalo,” added the second-year tactician.
It all came down to composure and poise, and this time, last conference’s finalist Choco Mucho proved to have that in them.
The Flying Titans went up by three halfway in the decider, 11-8, through Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez. The Cool Smashers even took a 15-14 match point after a Sisi Rondina attack error.
However, Royse Tubino answered back followed by Maddie Madayag’s denial on Valdez, giving Choco Mucho the match point.
Valdez then evened things up again, but that would be the final deadlock as Rondina drilled back-to-back kills for the win in two hours and 47 minutes.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
Rondina delivered 23 points and 14 receptions, while Tubino emerged with 20 points and 12 digs.
Isa Molde also logged 12 points to her name, while Madayag, who was part of the first-ever Choco Mucho squad, added eight points built on seven blocks.
The Flying Titans aim for a 2-0 record on Thursday against Chery Tiggo at the same Pasig venue.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
It was Galanza who led the way for the Cool Smashers with an all-around performance of 23 points, 18 receptions, and 13 digs.
Valdez was vintage with 21 points, while Michele Gumabao, who took the place of Carlos in the starting six, had 18 points.
Jeanette Panaga also had a remarkable display of 15 points, including seven blocks.
Carlos, a three-time PVL Conference MVP, missed the game as she is in South Korea for the KOVO tryouts, along with Chery Tiggo’s Mylene Paat.
The Cool Smashers, now at 0-1 (1 point), will look to rebound on Thursday as well against the Angels.
