PVL: Mars Alba plays game-changer in Choco Mucho fightback
Mars Alba, Sisi Rondina and the rest of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans celebrate after stunning the PLDT High Speed Hitters in Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino quarterfinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Mars Alba spelled the difference for Choco Mucho when she checked in in the third set to spark their reverse sweep of PLDT and steal Game 1 of their 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals Saturday night.
After the Flying Titans yielded the first two sets, Alba checked in for Deanna Wong and finished with 16 excellent sets on top of three points to help Choco Mucho pull off a 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 win at Philsports Arena.
“During training, we’re always reminded that we’re heading to the quarterfinals, so we really need to double our effort and take training seriously. We try our best to give 100 percent in every training because, like coaches say, what you do in practice will show in the game,” said Alba in Filipino.
READ: PVL: Sisi Rondina, Choco Mucho show mighty grit in comeback win
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, Sisi Rondina, and Mars Alba after pulling off a comeback in Game 1. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/H1J5qz9ZXL
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 15, 2025
Apart from her brilliant playmaking, Alba scored rare spikes over her former F2 Logistics teammate Majoy Baron in the fourth and fifth sets.
The former UAAP Best Setter and Finals MVP out of La Salle said she had fun facing her former teammates, including Kianna Dy and Kim Fajardo.
“Parang pag nag-angas ako feeling ko okay lang, hindi ako maba-bash. Kasi parang wala, nagkikita pa rin kami nila ates. [Sinasabihan] nila ako, ‘Oh, huwag mo galingan.’ Kidding aside, laro talaga, focus talaga, walang ate ate,” Alba said.
READ: PVL: Sisi Rondina rallies Choco Mucho past PLDT in Game 1
Mars Alba on facing her former teammates in the #PVL2025 quarterfinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/QwyI4Yskq8
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 15, 2025
Alba attributed her stellar performance to her teammates for trusting her and letting her dictate the pace.
Winners of eight in a row, the Flying Titans want no letup as they go for a sweep on Thursday in Game 2.
“What keeps us going is that we’re here now. We remind each other not to give up because all the hard work we put in during the prelims will be wasted if we give up now,” Alba said.
