PVL: Choco Mucho boosts Finals bid with sweep of Chery Tiggo

Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina during a PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals game against Chery Tiggo. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Choco Mucho cruised to a second consecutive win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference round robin semifinals after a 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 clobbering of Chery Tiggo Thursday night at PhilSports Arena.

Sisi Rondina was at the forefront of the Flying Titans’ charge with 18 points, all from attacks, with Royse Tubino flourishing into her starter role with 17 points from 15 attacks and two blocks.

“Importante talaga yung bawat game namin kaya sabi ko sa players ko kailangan all out palagi,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said as Choco Mucho followed up its historic performance against sister team Creamline.

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals 2024

Libero Thang Ponce, caught 25 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions, had help protecting Choco Mucho’s floor in Rondina who had 14 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions.

The Flying Titans have the inside track to a Finals seat as they earned the solo top spot with a 2-0 win-loss record. The Cool Smashers and Petro Gazz are behind both with 1-1 cards before the Crossovers who are now on the brink of elimination after dropping two consecutive playoff matches.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Royse Tubino. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Cza Carandang was the only Crossover who collected twin digits, 10 points, while sisters Eya and EJ Laure had a quiet outing of nine points each.

“Sobrang thankful sa naging performance namin kahit medyo nago-off yung ginagawa namin like yung sa transition namin,” Alinsunurin said. “May kasama na ring swerte. Mas maraming naging unforced error yung Chery Tiggo kaya mas nama-maximize namin pagdating sa dulo.”

With everything on the line, Chery Tiggo worked to tie the game at 15-all before Choco Mucho built a five-point cushion. Eya tried to keep the Crossovers afloat and took over with three-consecutive points as Pauline Gaston blocked a Flying Titan kill.

That didn’t sit well with Tubino and replied with a run on her own to inch Choco Mucho closer to the victory. Tubino unleashed a kill that Chery Tiggo couldn’t control before Eya retaliated with a cross-court kill.

However, Gaston practically handed the win to the Flying Titans herself with a deadly service error.

“Lagi lang sinasabi sakin ni coach na gawin muna yung kanya-kanya namin trabaho kasi magf-follow up naman yan pag ginawa mo yung sayo,” Ponce said.

“Pare-parehas na kaming pagod eh so pinush na rin namin yung sarili namin kasi andun na kami eh so kailangan na ibigay yung best kesa makuha pa [ng Chery Tiggo] yung isang set,” Tubino said.

Choco Mucho can formalize its return to the PVL Finals if it triumphs against its final semifinal matchup in Petro Gazz on Sunday.