Choco Mucho comeback win over PLDT seals PVL semifinals return

Choco Mucho Flying Titans celebrate come from behind win that sealed their semifinals entry. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —When Choco Mucho went down 0-5 to PLDT in the fifth set putting the team’s winning streak in peril, coach Dante Alinsunurin didn’t call a time-out.

Not doubting his players one second, Alinsunurin let his Flying Titans figure out how to get out of that hole themselves.

And Sisi Rondina and Co. did just that, as the Flying Titans pulled off a come-from-behind 25-20, 23-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-12 win over PLDT–their eighth straight–that secured a semifinal berth in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) second All-Filipino Conference.

“I trust all of my players. Even when we were down by five, I never called for a timeout to pressure them. I just gave them a few instructions because I want them to find a solution inside the court,” said Alinsunurin in Filipino.

The win also ended a four-conference semifinal drought for Flying Titans, who improved to an 8-1 record behind unbeaten Creamline (8-0), which they also towed to the semis.

In the deciding set, Choco Mucho slowly and surely chipped away at PLDT’s lead and cut it to three, 8-11, before Caitlin Viray and Isa Molde conspired with Rondina to score five straight points to wrest the advantage, 13-11.

Erika Santos stopped the bleeding for the High Speed Hitters but her teammate Jessey De Leon committed a costly service error that pushed Choco Mucho at match point, 14-12. Maddie Madayag shut the door on PLDT with a game-winning block on Santos to end the match in two hours and 14 minutes.

The players couldn’t hold back their emotions with Rondina pouring it all out in a scream, as her arrival spelled the turnaround run to the semifinals for Choco Mucho, and Madayag letting the tears fall.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans celebrate come from behind win that sealed their semifinals entry. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Rondina finished a 20-point and 20-excellent receptions performance while  Madayag scored conference-high 18 points including three blocks and two aces.

“I’m really thankful for the performance of everyone, not just the players but also the coaching staff and management. We waited for so long to get to the semis that’s why I’m a bit emotional,” said Alinsunurin, who also had to hold back his tears. “But the job is not yet done. We just got our goal to reach the semis.”

Setter Deanna Wong also showed tremendous leadership inside the court while orchestrating their offense with 24 excellent sets to go with three points including two aces. Molde chipped in 15 points and 13 digs. Viray had 10 points. Cherry Nunag added nine markers while libero Thang Ponce had 23 digs.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans celebrate come from behind win that sealed their semifinals entry. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Although they are bound for the semis, Alinsunurin wants his team to finish strong in their last two games against Gerflor on Tuesday and Chery Tiggo in Iloilo on December 2.

PLDT fell to the brink of elimination with three straight losses, dropping to a 5-4 record tied with Akari and Petro Gazz. A pair of wins by current No.4 Cignal (6-3) in its last two games would eliminate the three teams.

Savannah Davison’s 31-point explosion went for naught. Royse Tubino also stepped up for the High Speed Hitters with 16 points, while Santos had 13 points.