Sisi Rondina and the Choco Mucho FLying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Choco Mucho prevented a come-from-behind attempt by Chery Tiggo to carve out its third straight victory in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Saturday night at PhilSports Arena.
The Flying Titans shut the door on the Crossovers with a 25-9, 25-23, 20-25, 25-17 performance behind the offensive troika of Sisi Rondina, Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag.
Sisi Rondina, coach Dante Alinsunurin, and Kat Tolentino after beating Chery Tiggo. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/ourY6z3QQS
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 2, 2024
“Tinatrabaho talaga namin everyday naman kung ano ‘yung pwede naming gawin sa loob, anong adjustment, sobrang maganda lang ‘yung pakiramdam kasi nakukuha namin every game or every set ‘yung gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said after Choco Mucho kept its standing perfect.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024
“Parang konting adjustment na lang kaya sobrang thankful ako sa players talaga na dedicated sa ginagawa namin pagdating sa training,” he added.
Choco Mucho, who is coming off a five-set win over Petro Gazz, overwhelmed Chery Tiggo from the get go, and it took a while before the Crossovers found the groove to fight back.
“Masaya kasi nagbubunga ‘yung pagod namin. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” Rondina said after pacing Choco Mucho with 23 points including two aces.
Sisi Rondina rises for a hit against Chery Tiggo blockers. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Masaya rin ako kanina sa mga pangyayari kasi kami sa loob, nag-uusap talaga and then lagi naming sinasabi na maging composed lang tayo kasi umingay na eh,” she added after lacing her offense with 13 excellent receptions.
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Kat Tolentino helped Choco Mucho with 17 points that included four huge blocks while Madayag added 10 points.
Thang Ponce did her usual thing on the defense with 22 digs as new setter Mars Alba made plays with 20 excellent sets with 10 excellent digs as well.
“Bumalik lang kami sa sistema and tumibay talaga kami sa depensa kanina kasi unstoppable din kanina si Eya (Laure), lahat ng mga attackers ng Chery (Tiggo),” Rondina said.
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“As long as kaya, gagapangin at gagapangin talaga namin,” she added after Choco Mucho maximized the Crossovers’ 23 errors.
Chery Tiggo, which suffered its first loss, also had three players finish in twin digits in Ara Galang’s 14 points, Eya 13 and former Most Valuable Player Mylene Paat 10.
Having some time to rest and recover, Choco Mucho will try to keep its record clean while trying to break Cignal’s winning streak on March 14 at PhilSports Arena.
“Dadalhin ulit namin ‘tong panalo na ‘to sa game sa Cignal. Medyo mahaba pa naman [preparation] pero kailangan pa rin namin paghandaan talaga and tuloy-tuloy lang ‘yung ginagawa namin sa training,” Alinsunurin said.
“We’re just gonna prepare the same as always we go back to training and move on from this win and learn more. We have a long time to prepare hopefully we can learn more and get more chemistry,” Tolentino said.
Meanwhile, Chery Tiggo will try to bounce back when they face Farm Fresh on March 9 at FilOil EcoOil Arena.