PVL: Choco Mucho makes quick work of Galeries Tower

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

Revitalized following a long respite, Choco Mucho roughed up Galeries Tower, 25-13, 25-19, 25-17, at the resumption of the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena.

Sisi Rondina fired 16 points, 13 of them ruthless attacks, and Cherry Nunag delivered another efficient output of 12 points on top of three aces and two blocks as the Flying Titans seized a share of the lead with the tournament front runners.

“The break really helped, especially after a defeat. We were able to see what we need in our succeeding games,’’ said Nunag after the Flying Titans tied the Creamline Cool Smashers and the PLDT Home Fibr High Speed Hitters with a 6-1 record.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

Choco Mucho absorbed its first setback of the tournament at the hands of the High Speed Hitters before bouncing back with a victory at the expense of the Akari Chargers prior to a nine-day lenten vacation.

“We are approaching the end (of the eliminations) and the games coming up will be all crucial,’’ said Nunag.

The Flying Titans were on track for a demolition right from the get-go.

Isa Molde’s variety of shots and Rondina’s timely hits ignited Choco Mucho’s rally for a comfortable 11-3 lead in the opening frame.

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Caught flat-footed early on, Galeries Tower just couldn’t keep up with France Ronquillo and Grazielle Bombita the only bright spots for the Highrisers.

Nunag was a towering presence for the Flying Titans, foiling not a few enemy fire while attacking the front row with quick smashes.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina. –PVL PHOTO

Rondina punched an off-the-block spike that widened the advantage, 24-11, before Mary Anne Esguerra touched the net on another Rondina attack at set point.

Nunag fired an ace and a string of errors by Galeries Tower rewarded Choco Mucho with an 8-3 advantage in the second set.

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But while everybody thought of another lopsided set, the Highrisers rose to the occasion anchored on Ronquillo’s attacks that leveled the count at 10.

Rondina and Molde put order on the Flying Titans’ floor with a pair of hits while Nunag scored another ace as they threatened to pull away.

It was mostly an all-Rondina show in the ensuing plays. She pummeled the enemy with back-to-back hits followed by an off-speed spike before Reg Arocha closed out the set with a powerful down-the-line strike.

The Highrisers fell to 2-5 in tie with the Akari Chargers at the lower rung of the standings with Ronquillo, Bombita and Audrey Paran leading another wasted foray.

Everybody is ready to contribute. That’s the good thing about our team. We just follow the game plan and execute the things where we are effective,’’ said Rondina.

The effort was there defensively on the Highrisers’ end as they kept it close at the start of the third set.

But Nunag and Rondina combined forces again with the duo delivering an ace each that bumped them up to a seven-point lead.

Molde and Maika Ortiz pushed the Flying Titans further ahead with pairs of blocks and spikes while the Highrisers accelerated their downfall with an attack error at match point.