PVL: Mars Alba, Royse Tubino are Choco Mucho’s difference-makers

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ setter Mars Alba in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Mars Alba and Royse Tubino played instrumental in Choco Mucho’s breakthrough win over sister team Creamline to open its 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinal round on a high note.

Choco Mucho finally got one after 13 tries against Creamline after fighting back from two sets down before pulling off a 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 victory on Tuesday in front of 6,407 fans at Philsports Arena. 

Maddie Madayag, a Flying Titan since the franchise joined the league in 2019, credited their first semis win to Alba, who had 10 excellent sets coming off the bench, and Tubino backstopping Sisi Rondina with 20 points and 12 digs.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals 2024

“If you think of it, it seems like Creamline is impossible to beat. But if the players will work together and help each other, it’s possible,” said Alba in Filipino. “I’m thankful to my coaches and ates because they fully trusted me in my setting decisions.”

“It felt great because  I wasn’t able to get one win against Creamline when I was with F2 Logistics. I’m thankful to the Lord because everything worked out. I felt in the latter part of the fifth set that we’re gelling so I told them not to let go of this win,” she added.

Choco Mucho Flying Titan’s Royse Tubino in the PVL All-Filipino semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Tubino said they wanted to take advantage of the absence of three-time MVP Tots Carlos, who attended a tryout in South Korea.

“This is the semis that’s why I wanted to win against Creamline. We also grabbed this chance because Tots didn’t play. Our mindset was to win this time,” the Army sergeant said in Filipino.

READ: PVL: Choco Mucho beats Creamline for first time to kickstart semis bid

However, it wasn’t an easy ride as Creamline dominated the first two sets even without Carlos. Until Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin made the necessary adjustments converting Tubino to an open spiker while switching Isa Molde to the opposite position.

“I credit our win to coach Dante because he adjusted in the third, making me an open spiker. My teammates never stopped listening and persevering until we got this win,” said Tubino. “Creamline is really hard to beat but with the help of my teammates and coaches, we finally got one.”

If Choco Mucho beats Chery Tiggo on Thursday paired with Petro Gazz’s second win, the Flying Titans will make their second straight Finals trip against the Angels.