PVL: Choco Mucho continues to rise, dominates Capital1

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina rises for a hit during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL

STA. ROSA, Laguna—Choco Mucho strengthened its PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinal bid after prevailing over hapless Capital1, 25-15, 25-16, 25-21, on Saturday at Sta. Rosa Sports Complex here.

It was just another day at the office for Sisi Rondina who was the only Flying Titan to finish in twin digits with 13 points on 12 attacks and an ace as Isa Molde contributed nine points mostly from attacks.

With the victory over the now-eliminated Solar Spikers, Choco Mucho improved to a 7-1 record to gain solo lead in the standings, just half a game ahead of PLDT and Creamline, which is battling Petro Gazz as of posting.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024

“Happy ako sa naging laro namin kasi halos lahat nagamit ngayon. Kung ano yung mga gusto naming gawin sa loob ng court, nama-maximize namin,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

WATCH: Choco Mucho (7-1) improved its semifinal bid after eliminating Capital1 (1-7), 25-15, 25-16, 25-21. | @ThirdyINQ pic.twitter.com/wtnLAgEZu3

— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 6, 2024

“Kahit sinong ipasok namin nagdedeliver, yun naman yung importante sa team namin. Sabi ko nga, in terms of pangangailangan namin sa mga players namin, kapag crucial, meron kaming huhugutin,” he added.

Choco Mucho flaunted its usual form even despite missing Kat Tolentino who was out due to recovering from a “medical condition” and Alinsunurin opting to utilize former main setter Deanna Wong who had nine excellent sets after playing in the first two sets.

“Siyempre alam naman nila coach kung pano ‘yung gagawin during game or kung anumang strategy na ginagawa,” Wong said. “Lagi namang sinasabi nila coach na health-wise talaga ‘yung mas mahalaga.

“Masaya na nakapaglaro na pero unti-unti pa rin. It’s more of the system talaga that we follow kaya kahit sino naman ipasok, nagagawa pa rin namin ‘yung kailangang gawin.”

Capital1 refused to end the match without a fight, making the final frame a close one as Jannine Navarro smuggled an ace to tie the game at 14-all.

However, the Solar Spikers placed themselves in jeopardy after consecutive errors piled up with a down the line kill from Rondina allowing Choco Mucho to gain a 19-16 advantage.

Patty Orendain, who finished with eight points, scored three straight points as Navarro scored off the block to give Choco Mucho a scare at 21-20 before a combined effort by the Flying Titans secured the win.

Capital1 captain Jorelle Singh paced her squad with 13 points after showing some fire in the decider while Navarro contributed 11 points.

Choco Mucho will meet another team at the bottom in Strong Group next Saturday at PhilSports Arena before an anticipated Finals rematch against sister team Creamline and its last assignment Farm Fresh.