PVL Finals: ‘Maturity’ will be key for Choco Mucho against Creamline

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Kat Tolentino and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans face the formidable Creamline Cool Smashers in their first finals stint. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Every time Choco Mucho and Creamline faced off, the results have always been the same so far.

As of writing, the Cool Smashers hold a resounding 9-0 head-to-head record over the Flying Titans but that may all change in the series that matters the most: the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Finals.

Choco Mucho punched its ticket to the Finals after fending off Cignal in four sets, 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23, at Philsports Arena on Tuesday and Kat Tolentino has an idea of what her team could use against a seasoned team in Creamline as the best-of-three series that begins on Thursday.

“I think the maturity of the team throughout this whole season will definitely help us,” said the opposite spiker after finishing with 17 points.

“We’ve gained so much confidence and there’s been growth in the past few games, working together and sticking to coach Dante’s (Alinsunurin) system. I think those will really be the key.”

The Flying Titans certainly showed maturity in the most important part of the conference.

After being down a game at the hands of the HD Spikers in the semifinals, Choco Mucho kept its composure and relied on the squad’s maturity to win two straight and set up a date in the finalè with its sister team.

Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina hugs setter Deanna Wong. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Sisi Rondina, who helped the Flying Titans’ cause with 21 points, felt the same way about their upcoming clash with the Cool Smasher but also said it will all boil down to who wants it more.

“That will be determined by work and if we really want to get the win, we can do it. It’ll be a test of perseverance, work and patience. We know Creamline won’t back down and we won’t too,” said the University of Santo Tomas product in Filipino.

“We’ll show what we’ve learned and the improvements that we’re capable of,” she added.

Coach Dante Alinsunurin, meanwhile, believes he’s seeing a new team compared to the squad that faltered to the Cool Smashers in the elimination round.

Should Alinsunurin see the same improvements from the Flying Titans then “maybe” they could do the improbable and trounce the league’s top team.

“Every day in training, that’s where we change for the better. We feel like we’re moving better now. We’ll continue what we’ve been doing in the game, adjust and maybe we’ll have a chance to win.”

Creamline and Choco Mucho open the All-Filipino Finals series on Thursday at Mall of Asia Arena after Game 1 of the Battle for Third between Cignal and Chery Tiggo.