Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag stepped up when it mattered most, helping Choco Mucho rediscover its winning form after dropping the third and fourth sets to escape Farm Fresh, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12, in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena on Thursday.
With this victory, the Flying Titans snapped their two-game skid to enter the one-month holiday break with an even record of 3-3, tying the Akari Chargers at fifth.
Ahead by just a single point in the decider, 9-8, Nunag and Rondina combined for a 5-1 spurt to reach match point at 14-9.
The Foxies stayed alive thanks to a Caitlin Viray hit, a Pierre Abellana spike off a floating ball, and a Maicah Larroza ace to claw within two, 12-14. However, a net fault on a Viray block attempt gave the Flying Titans the win to close out 2024.
(C) PVL Images
The net fault violation committed by Viray was challenged by first referee Jocelyn del Rosario, and the review confirmed that the lefty open spiker had indeed hit the top of the net when going for the block.
“Happy kami sa panalo namin kahit na alam namin na may mga bagay kaming kulang, natuloy pa rin namin yung pagkuha ng panalo although syempre ineexpect din namin na lalaban talaga rin yung Farm Fresh,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
The Flying Titans almost bagged the win in the fourth set after a Trisha Tubu attack error made it 26-24. However, Del Rosario called for a referee’s challenge, and Nunag admitted that the ball had grazed her, making it 25-all. An error by Rondina followed before Tubu scored to extend the match to a fifth frame.
This win also secured a double victory for Rebisco sister teams against the Strong Group Athletics squads, as Creamline edged out ZUS Coffee in five sets earlier in the day, 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13.
Rondina spearheaded the Flying Titans with 26 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 13 digs, while Kat Tolentino chipped in 18 points on 10 spikes, six blocks, and two aces.
Nunag and Isa Molde also contributed 10 points apiece in the win.
Mars Alba strung things together for the Flying Titans with 25 excellent sets, outduelling Farm Fresh counterpart Louie Romero, who tossed 20.
(C) PVL Images
The Foxies, on the other hand, saw their two-game winning streak come to an end, slipping to 2-3 and tying the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles for eighth place.
Tubu’s 31-point explosion went to waste in the loss, while Viray had 15 points and Alyssa Bertolano added 10 points, 19 receptions, and 12 digs.
