“Sobrang saya lang kasi nakabawi na rin kami sa Cignal!”
That was Thang Ponce’s initial reaction after Choco Mucho finally halted its five-game losing streak against Cignal on Thursday night at the packed Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Flying Titans not only ended that long drought against the HD Spikers but also did it dominantly by winning in straight sets, 25-21, 25-19, 25-18, in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference.
Choco Mucho’s misfortune against Cignal began during the battle for third place in the 2022 Open when they lost in four sets on April 8, 2022. The Flying Titans then suffered four more consecutive losses, with two under former head coach Oliver Almadro, one under interim tactician Edjet Mabbayad, and the two most recent defeats under current coach Dante Alinsunurin.
For Alinsunurin, breaking Cignal’s code and defeating coach Shaq Delos Santos was a significant achievement.
“Sobra-sobrang laking bagay sa amin ang pagkapanalo kasi matagal na namin itong hinihintay, mula sa first conference, hanggang sa second conference, at ngayong third conference, nakuha na namin,” said Alinsunurin, a decorated tactician on the men’s side.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy lang ang aming tagumpay, dahil iyon lamang ang kailangan naming gawin, ang pagbagsak sa kanilang kumpiyansa sa laro pagdating sa Cignal.”
Ponce, who received the Player of the Game award after tallying 17 digs and being the Flying Titans’ defensive anchor, stated that this win is a testament to their team finally grasping Alinsunurin’s system.
Alinsunurin took over Choco Mucho at the beginning of the 2023 season and faced some growing pains, finishing seventh in both the First All-Filipino and the Invitationals.
“Yung sistema na tinuturo ni coach, sa wakas na-apply na namin siya. Nagtitiwala lang kami kay coach, binibigay naman nila sa amin ang lahat, kailangan lang namin itong pagtrabahuhan,” said Ponce.
Choco Mucho came closest to defeating Cignal in the 2022 Invitationals when they narrowly lost in five sets, 26-24, 25-19, 16-25, 21-25, 11-15, and in the 2023 First AFC, 14-25, 11-25, 25-19, 25-17, 11-15.
