Choco Mucho import Odina Aliyeva leads Flying Titans to win vs F2 Logistics. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho leaned on Odina Aliyeva’s 27-point explosion and Denden Lazaro-Revilla’s tremendous floor defense to overwhelm F2 Logistics, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20. 26-24, for its first win in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena.
Aliyeva, the Uzbekistani-Azerbaijan spiker, unloaded 25 kills and provided a great defensive effort with 29 excellent receptions and 14 digs, helping Revilla in protecting the floor with the libero playing a crucial role in saving the balls with 26 digs and 11 receptions.
“Every game is gonna be a tough game for us. I told them that we have to want it more, keep the faith, and let’s work together,” said Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro. “They delivered. Our players are small but terrible. It’s not about the size, it’s about the heart.”
Isa Molde also stepped up when her number was called in the fourth set as she sparked the Flying Titans’ comeback from a 22-24 deficit. Maika Ortiz saved a point, followed by Molde’s off-the-block kill to tie the set.
F2 Logistics setter Iris Tolenada, who filled in for Kim Fajardo after injuring her ankle in the third set, committed a crucial net touch that pushed Choco Mucho at match point before Molde nailed a big block on Lindsay Stalzer’s attack to seal their first win and prevent a fifth set.
“I trusted Isa. We made a last-minute adjustment and Isa followed right away. I told her to trust herself and she can do it. And she did it,” said Almadro on Molde, who subbed in for Des Cheng.
Jem Ferrer shone in her first start for Choco Mucho with 20 excellent sets on top of four points, as Bea De Leon and Kat Tolentino chipped in 11 points as their team improved to 1-1, bouncing back from a three-set loss to Petro Gazz last Tuesday.
Stalzer, who was cleared from the league’s health and safety protocols a day before their match, made an impressive PVL debut with 26 points but it went for naught as F2 Logistics dropped to 0-2.
Kalei Mau had 15 points, 10 digs, and six receptions. Ivy Lacsina and Kianna Dy had eight points each, while Aby Marano returned to her original position as a middle blocker and finished with seven markers, as Ara Galang still played as libero and had 12 receptions and 11 digs.
Choco Mucho seeks to keep its momentum going against PLDT (1-1) on Thursday next week, while F2 Logistics eyes its first win against United Auctioneers-Army on Tuesday.