Choco Mucho Flying Titans.–PVL PHOTO
Seasoned Choco Mucho and PLDT strengthened their positions in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference while drilling to their newcomer opponents that life in this league will continue to be tough.
Choco Mucho kept Galeries Tower still searching for its first win—and also a first set win—after defeating the Highrisers, 25-21, 25-16, 25-20, on Thursday, a few hours after PLDT overcame Nxled after a strange opening frame loss and completed a come-from-behind 22-25, 25-17, 25-11, 25-20 triumph at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna province.
“We have problems in our team, but with this win, we got confidence that anyone we call on from the bench will deliver,” Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin said in Filipino after the Flying Titans extended their winning streak to three for 3-1 overall, the only setback dealt by defending champion Creamline on opening day.
Next woman-up approach
Stepping up for their injured teammate, Sisi Rondina finished with 16 points on 13 attacks, two blocks and an ace. Caitlin Viray and Bea de Leon added a combined 21 points even as Regine Arocha chipped in eight points that included two aces aside from seven excellent receptions.
“I am happy because my teammates still performed. I told them to ‘just work, communicate and do things to help the team,’” said Rondina, who also had 10 digs.
The High Speed Hitters, meanwhile, used the first set as a warmup before humbling the Chameleons. The rest of the match was all about PLDT, whose only defeat in four games came from its four-set opening game loss to sister team Cignal.
Since then, the High Speed Hitters haven’t slowed down and dug Nxled a deeper hole for its third consecutive loss for 1-3
PLDT setter Rhea Dimaculangan successfully maximized her hitters with a game-high 20 sets, which mostly benefitted Filipino-Canadian Savannah Davison who led the High Speed Hitters with 21 points.
“I composed myself to give my teammates the ball they need and to get them comfortable. As they got comfortable, everyone got better attack opportunities,” Dimaculangan said.
The bum start certainly bothered coach Rald Ricafort:
“[We need a better] mindset that going into the game, they cannot be complacent.”