Choco Mucho Flying Titans during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
Choco Mucho notched a first win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference after surviving a gritty marathon match against Galeries Tower, 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12, on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Arena.
“Yung panalong ito is talagang pinaghirapan namin, siyempre credit talaga sa Galeries sa pinakita nila na talagang hanggang dulo lumalaban sila,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said. “Mag-add lang samin ‘to ng kumpiyansa dahil matagal tagal na kaming hindi nanalo.”
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference 2024-2025
“Sobrang thankful kami na nakuha namin to today na medyo mabigat pero sulit din namin yung pagod namin, nakuha namin yung game,” Alinsunurin added. “Sobrang thankful kami sa naging performance ng mga players ko na kahit nad-down kami minsan, nakakabalik pa rin kami.”
The returning Kat Tolentino led the Flying Titans, who improved to 1-1 (win-loss) record, with a solid 27-point outing, seven of which coming from blocks. Alas Pilipinas stalwarts Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag provided 19 and 14 points, respectively.
“It’s just the game that coach Dante has taught me ever since, even last year that’s what I’ve been trying to work on and I just have to stick with the process and I think sticking to the system and trusting the team is what got us there,” Tolentino said.
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Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Kat Tolentino during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO
It was also a breakout game for rookie middle blocker Lorraine Pecaña who contributed 10 points, 10 excellent digs, and seven blocks. She teamed up with Tolentino to lead Choco Mucho’s block party with 22 blocks.
“Nakinig lang po ako sa mga coaches ko kasi alam na nila kung sino mga bibigyan ng bola. Nakinig lang ako sa kanila tapos nagtiwala lang rin ako sa sarili ko na pag pinalo nila, matic makukuha ko yung bola, mab-block ko,” Pecaña said
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Libero Thang Ponce did her part, defending the Flying Titans’ floor with 18 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions. Mars Alba got Choco Mucho going with 20 excellent sets.
Pecana, who earned a spot in the first six with Maddie Madayag playing overseas, had the Highrisers’ hitters number, stopping the attacks of Galeries Tower in the crucial moments of the match.
She scored off a block to give Choco Mucho some breathing room, 12-10, before Des Cheng hit a crucial ace. Rondina did her usual thing on the offense to secure the win.
The Highrisers dropped to a 0-2 card following their four-set opening loss to Akari previously even with rookie Jewel Encarnacion dropping 18 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Ysa Jimenez added 13 points, France Ronquillo 11 points and No. 3 overall Rookie Draft pick Julia Coronel with a career-high 10 points on top of 11 excellent sets. Alyssa Eroa caught 30 excellent digs.
Choco Mucho looks to continue its winning ways against another rising team Capital1 next on Thursday in the same San Juan City venue. Galeries Tower aims to break the skid against PLDT on Tuesday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.