Choco Mucho drew first blood in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Open Conference battle for bronze following a 25-17, 25-21, 21-25, 25-22 win over Cignal at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.
Kat Tolentino dropped 23 points on 19 attacks, three blocks, and an ace to put the Flying Titans a win away from its first podium finish in the PVL. Deanna Wong also tossed 30 excellent sets while netting 26 excellent digs and four points.
“Well, it’s a good bounce back from [the loss] to Cignal nung eliminations namin. But the job is not yet done,” said Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro.
They lost to Cignal last March 23, 20-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-16.
The Flying Titans breezed through the first two sets before the HD Spikers came back and took the third set.
Des Cheng put the Flying Titans at match point, 24-22, in the fourth set before Ponggay Gaston capped it off with an off-the-block hit.
“I know Cignal is a good team, so kailangan pa naming mag step-up. And kailagan naming mag-adjust kung ano yung mga hindi namin nakuha kanina. And good thing everybody delivered sa bench, yung quality minutes nila naibigay nila para mapahinga yung iba naming kasama,” added Almadro.
Bea De Leon chipped in 11 points, while Cheng added 10 points for Choco Mucho.
On the other hand, Roselyn Doria led the way for Cignal with 12 points. Ces Molina had 11 points and 19 excellent receptions.
Jheck Dionela had 25 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions. However, Gel Cayuna found herself held to just 20 excellent sets and a point.
Rachel Daquis, who only played in the last three sets, still had 10 points and eight excellent receptions.
Choco Mucho looks to bag the series on Friday, 3:00 PM at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
