PVL: Choco Mucho sweeps Cignal to stay unbeaten at 4-0

Sisi Rondina and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. – PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Choco Mucho joined sister team Creamline at the top of the PVL All-Filipino Conference standings after a 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 triumph over Cignal on Thursday at PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

Sisi Rondina poured 23 points, all except for one coming from attacks, to lift the Flying Titans to their fourth consecutive win in as many games, matching the Cool Smashers’ winning run in the All-Filipino Conference.

“Sobrang ganda ng naging performance namin kasi sobrang taas ng efficiency namin sa receive namin kaya halos lahat ng receive namin na-convert namin sa puntos talaga,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said after Choco Mucho caught 22 out 57 receptions.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“Sobrang ganda rin ng laban, yun nga medyo nag-ayos lang talaga kami pagdating sa receiving at service,” he added. “Sana lang magtuloy-tuloy yung ginagawa namin, nagbibigay ng kumpyansa samin ‘to sa bawat laro.”

Kat Tolentino added 14 points for Choco Mucho including three blocks even as Mars Alba continued her excellent playmaking under Alinsunurin’s system with 19 excellent sets.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Isa Molde. – PVL PHOTO

With Maddie Madayag needing to rest, Maika Ortiz stepped up to the plate and added four points.

Choco Mucho restrained the offense of Cignal, which did not have any player reaching double digits. Ces Molina top scored the HD Spikers with nine points including two blocks and middle blocker Riri Meneses had eight.

“Paulit-ulit kong sinasabi talaga na every time na may laro, may training, kailangan ready and sa mindset talaga na kailangan manalo. Nakuha ko yung ganung ugali sa UST coaches ko and siguro dala-dala ko yun,” the reigning All-Filipino conference Most Valuable Player said.

READ: PVL: Sisi Rondina playing true to MVP form for Choco Mucho

“Personally, ayoko din na ma-put into waste yung mga paghihirap namin and ipinakita lang din namin kung paano kami magtrabaho sa sistema ni coach Dante,” she added.

That reception that the Alinsunurin said was best displayed by libero Thang Ponce, who finished with 22 excellent digs while Tolentino had 10.

“Nakuha lang din talaga namin yung service-receive and talagang na-control lang talaga din namin yung mga bola na nakaka-set ng bola si Mars,” Rondina said.

Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player and longtime Ginebra import Justin Brownlee was among the PVL crowd.  And like the popular club’s mantra of “ never say die,” neither team gave the other breathing room in the first two sets.

“Lumaki talaga akong Ginebra yung pinapanood ko. Siguro nai-imagine ko ngayon sa sitwasyon namin na every game importante, kahit anong sitwasyon,” Alinsunurin said.

LOOK: Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin meets Justin Brownlee. #PVL2024 | @LanceAgcaoilINQ pic.twitter.com/iEP703HVK3

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) March 14, 2024

“[Kahit anong] adjustment na pwedeng gawin, kailangan laban lang ng laban. Kung ano ‘man yung struggle namin sa loob ng court, kailangan laban. Importante pa rin sakin yun,” he added.

Choco Mucho carried on with its attacking with a strong start in the final frame, before the HD Spikers narrowed the deficit to just two points, 16-14.

The Flying Titans crafted a 5-2 run in the dying seconds to secure the win with Tolentino nailing the final two points that gave Cignal its first loss in four games.

“Nakaplano naman talaga ‘yung mga ginagawa namin kasi alam namin itong last three games, susunod na two games marami talagang nasa top. Contender din talaga dito. Kaya sabi namin magpu-push kami ngayon,” Alinsunurin said as Choco Mucho braces for its clash against PLDT on March 19 at FilOil EcoOil Arena.