Choco Mucho denied Petro Gazz a playoff for the last final spot after taking a four-set, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20 victory to enter the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference finale, Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Sisi Rondina powered the finals-clinching win with 32 points on 30 attacks, one ace, and one block, to go along with nine excellent receptions and seven excellent receptions as the Flying Titans set up a rematch with defending champion Creamline in the finals.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
This will be the second consecutive time that the sister squads under Rebisco will face off in the All-Filipino Conference finale, with the Cool Smashers winning their first encounter last December via sweep.
After losing the opener, Choco Mucho turned it up a notch in the extended second frame before running away in the third and fourth sets to complete their sweep of the elimination round with a 3-0 record.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
“Sobrang saya kasi nakita ko sa mga players ko, sa mga coaches, sa management kasi talagang pumunta kami rito para kunin yung panalo kasi ‘yun talaga yung naging goal namin mula nung after nung last year na championship,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Sabi namin kailangan naming makuha ulit yung makapasok sa finals. Kung ano ‘man yung gagawin naming adjustment sa finals sana makuha namin ulit,” he added.
Isa Molde registered 18 points on 13 attacks, four blocks, and one ace to go along with eight excellent receptions while team captain Maddie Madayag added 11 points after almost two hours of play.
Mars Alba tossed 15 excellent sets to facilitate the offense for Choco Mucho while Thang Ponce starred on defense with 19 excellent digs.
The Flying Titans will try to draw first blood against the Cool Smashers on Wednesday, 6:00 p.m., in Game 1 of the best-of-three finals at the same venue.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
Meanwhile, the Angels, who could have forced a playoff had they won over the Flying Titans, will finish the semis with a 1-2 record and head to the third-place series where they will face Chery Tiggo.
Brooke Van Sickle spearheaded Petro Gazz with 21 points on 19 attacks, one ace, and one block while Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Jonah Sabete each tallied 14 markers in a losing cause.
The Angels will battle the Crossovers in the bronze series on Thursday, 4:00 p.m., also in Araneta.
