Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina (left) was an offensive juggernaut against Chery Tiggo, and will be Petro Gazz’s main defensive concern in the PVL All-Filipino semifinals. —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Dante Alinsunurin admits that his Choco Mucho Flying Titans are “excited” to make it back to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Finals.
But first thing’s first.
“We haven’t quite gotten there yet,” Alinsunurin said as his charges would still need to seal win No. 3 in the semifinals, which could come against determined Petro Gazz on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Perhaps, it’s a matter of being excited, but we really need to address any issues we’ve encountered.
“We need to maximize every opportunity to ensure we secure our third win.”
PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024 Finals SCHEDULE
The Flying Titans went down in two straight games the first and only time they made a title series, and it was against Creamline which Choco Mucho can give a free ride to with a win over the Angels in the 6 p.m. game.
Provided of course that the Cool Smashers sustain their resurgence and deal struggling Chery Tiggo a third straight loss in the 4 p.m. game.
With a 2-0 record, a win over Petro Gazz will shove Choco Mucho into the championship series, while a loss, coupled by a Creamline win over the Crossovers, would forge a three-way tie for No. 1 at 2-1.
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho finally gets first franchise victory over Creamline
In that case, the team with the highest points total will take the first slot to the best-of-three series, leaving the next two to fight it out for the other championship berth.
Another scenario
There is also another scenario where Choco Mucho can make it there outright and leave the three teams fighting it out for No. 2, which can happen if Chery Tiggo wins and the Flying Titans turn back the Angels.
However, wins by Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz would seal a Flying Titans-Angels matchup for the crown.
Creamline avoided elimination turning back Petro Gazz in a controversial way on Thursday, though Angels management has finally spoken and said that they would just put that behind now.
“The Angels still accepted their defeat and congratulated the Cool Smashers but sincerely hope that the officiating lapses can be addressed to preserve the integrity of the PVL,” said the statement, referring to a crucial call in the third set of a 27-25, 23-25, 27-25, 26-24 loss to the defending champions.