Flying Titans rip Defenders for ninth straight win

Bea de Leon (No. 14) soars for a kill for rampaging Choco Mucho. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Still high from an emotional return to the semifinals after a thrilling five-setter against another league power, Choco Mucho cruised to its ninth consecutive victory in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference after a 25-16, 25-17, 25-11 spanking of hapless Gerflor on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

And team captain Bea de Leon sees their success coming from the entire team finally embracing coach Dante Alinsunurin’s system.

“I think [coach Dante’s] implementation has been solid. We really worked hard for it and he went through a lot after a year,” De Leon said after finishing with 13 points on six kills, five blocks and two aces in the win carved out in just 80 minutes. “We absorbed the system a bit fast.

“Definitely there are still aspects to improve on, but I am sure coach has a lot of cards still in his pockets.”After a series of seventh place finishes in the last four conferences, the Flying Titans will be legitimately contending for a championship this time.

And the season-high winning streak is most definitely attributable to Choco Mucho’s deep bench, which Alinsunurin is grateful for, with every Flying Titan ready whenever they are called to perform.

“Volleyball really doesn’t only revolve [around] seven players. Anytime we have struggles on the court, we need to be able to have someone step up. That’s what’s important,” Alinsunurin said.

Choco Mucho only surrendered just 44 points to the eliminated Defenders, who sank to its ninth loss in as many games as Sisi Rondina drilled in 17 points on 14 kills and two aces while also adding nine excellent digs and seven receptions.Choco Mucho will have a tough final assignment in Iloilo when it faces a powerful Chery Tiggo side that is battling unbeaten Creamline at press time.

Meanwhile, Farm Fresh needed less than two hours to notch its second franchise win, a 25-10, 25-18, 24-26, 25-16 thumping of Galeries Tower earlier.

With just a game left in their schedule, which will be against league newcomer Nxled, the Foxies improved to 2-8 as they look to close out with a win and bring more lessons into the next conference. INQ