Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

News

PVL: Choco Mucho vanquishes Cignal in thriller, sets up Rebisco Clasico finale


After a long and painful wait, Choco Mucho is heading to the finals of the Premier Volleyball League.

For the first time since joining the league in 2019, the Flying Titans finally got the chance to compete for a title after taking down Cignal in four tight sets, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, in Game 3 of the Second All-Filipino Conference semifinals, Tuesday at the Philsports Arena.PVL-AFC-Semis-Choco-Mucho-vs.-Cignal-G3-8533 PVL: Choco Mucho vanquishes Cignal in thriller, sets up Rebisco Clasico finale News PVL Volleyball  - philippine sports news

“Finally, nakapasok na kami ngayon sa championship round. First conference pa lang nakita namin talaga yung naging paghihirap nung team talaga, through second conference, talagang nagbunga yung paghihirap namin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin, who is also part of the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference finals with National U-Sta. Elena.

The Rebisco-backed squad’s historic victory was momentarily delayed after Cignal requested a block touch challenge on Vanie Gandler’s hit. However, it was eventually called unsuccessful, awarding the point to the Flying Titans which sealed the thrilling fourth-set affair.PVL-AFC-Semis-Choco-Mucho-vs.-Cignal-G3-Kat-Tolentino-8001 PVL: Choco Mucho vanquishes Cignal in thriller, sets up Rebisco Clasico finale News PVL Volleyball  - philippine sports news

Choco Mucho reached match point after Kat Tolentino fired a searing cross-court hit before Gandler pulled the HD Spikers closer, piercing through the opposing blockers to save a point. The latter then committed the attack error that sealed their fate.

“Yun, siguro talagang lumabas lang yung kagustuhan namin today na manalo at makuha yung Game 3. Kita naman sa mga pinagtrabahuhan ng mga bata talaga nagbunga yung pagod namin everytime na may game kami,” said Alinsunurin.

Five players hit double figures for the Flying Titans led by Sisi Rondina, who unloaded a team-high 21 points on 21 attacks to go along with 19 excellent receptions to help assure the team its first podium finish in franchise history.PVL-AFC-Semis-Choco-Mucho-vs.-Cignal-G3-Deanna-Wong-Jem-Ferrer-8674 PVL: Choco Mucho vanquishes Cignal in thriller, sets up Rebisco Clasico finale News PVL Volleyball  - philippine sports news

#ReadMore  Ateneo Blue Eagles to receive second straight ECJ trophy

Tolentino fired 17 points on 15 attacks, an ace, and a block while middle blockers Cherry Nunag and Maddie Madayag both added 12 points. Isa Molde had 10 markers, 14 excellent digs, and 12 excellent receptions in another impressive all-around outing.

Deanna Wong glued things together with 24 excellent sets while Thang Ponce netted 17 excellent digs in the two-hour, nine-minute contest.

Waiting for the Flying Titans in the finale, which is set to begin on Thursday, 6:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, is defending champion and sister squad Creamline.PVL-AFC-Semis-Choco-Mucho-vs.-Cignal-G3-Vanie-Gandler-7978 PVL: Choco Mucho vanquishes Cignal in thriller, sets up Rebisco Clasico finale News PVL Volleyball  - philippine sports news

On the other hand, Gandler led the HD Spikers with 20 points while Ces Molina finished with 19 points, nine excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs.

Jovelyn Gonzaga was held to eight points while Riri Meneses was limited to just seven in the do-or-die match.

Cignal will take on Chery Tiggo in the battle for third series at 4:00 p.m. also on Thursday.

Written By


You May Also Like

News

It was a perfect Sunday for Filipino volleyball imports in Japan as the teams of Jaja Santiago, Maddie Madayag, Marck Espejo, and Jia de...

News

Jaja Santiago’s Osaka Marvelous fell to defending champion NEC Red Rockets in a tightly contested match, 19-25, 25-19, 25-17, 23-25, 12-15, snapping their 11-game...

News

Cignal is exploring legal options following the departure of Ces Molina and Riri Meneses from the HD Spikers ahead of the resumption of the...

News

Cignal will begin the new year without two of its top spikers. Team captain Ces Molina and starting middle blocker Riri Meneses had both...

News

Maddie Madayag finally made her debut in the 2024-25 Japan SV.League, but it was a bittersweet moment as the Kurobe Aqua Fairies, fell to...

News

Owa Retamar and Nico Almendras once again found themselves back in the Invitational Conference final—the same tournament they last won for National University in...

News

By: Christian David Ruiz Louie Ramirez will now carry an extra sense of pride every time he steps onto the Spikers’ Turf. The 24-year-old...

News

By: Czarina Agaton Cignal faced daunting odds heading into the championship game of the 2024 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference. Standing in the HD Spikers...

Advertisement