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

Sisi Rondina and Choco Mucho Flying Titans celebrate a point against Creamline Cool Smashers in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals. –MARLO CEUTO/INQUIRERnet

MANILA, Philippines–Choco Mucho opened its PVL All-Filipino Conference with its first-ever victory against sister team Creamline, a come-from-behind 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 win on Tuesday at PhilSports Arena.

Sisi Rondina led the Flying Titans with 23 points from 21 attacks, a block and an ace while also catching 14 excellent receptions. Royse Tubino continued stepping up for the recuperating Kat Tolentino with 20 points, 18 coming from attacks, and had 12 excellent digs.

“All credits talaga sa teammates ko na pinagtrabahuhan namin na maipanalo namin yung game ngayon,” Rondina said shortly after the triumph in front of 6,407 energetic fans. “Finally, nakaisa din sa Creamline.”

SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals 2024

Isa Molde was also instrumental for the Flying Titans as she contributed 12 points while Maddie Madayag had eight points, seven of which came from Choco Mucho’s 15 blocks.

“Mahirap ipaliwanag, dahil first time namin manalo sa Creamline pero sobrang thankful ako sa naging performance namin,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said. “Kundi dahil din sa teamwork between players and coaches talaga, sobrang hirap nung sitwasyon namin kanina.

“Yung mga coaches ko talagang nag-push kami kung ano talagang dapat gagawin namin sa loob ng court and ano pa yung dapat naming adjustments. Sobrang thankful talaga na nakuha namin yung panalo.”

READ: PVL: Choco Mucho fixated on finally putting one over Creamline

Choco Mucho’s MAddie Madayag and Isa Molde during a PVL semifinals game. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Despite starting its semifinal campaign without main gun Tots Carlos who is currently trying out in the Korean V-League, Creamline held its ground–at least for the first two sets–behind the powerful Jema Galanza who had 23 points from 19 attacks, three aces and a block.

Alyssa Valdez had her best performance this conference with 21 points, 20 coming from kills, while Michele Gumabao, who filled in the spot left by Carlos, had 18. Pangs Panaga finished with 15 points, seven of which were from blocks.

“Finally lang, yun lang talaga kasi ilang conferences na namin silang pinaghandaan pero parang short kami palagi. But finally, grabe yung pinagdaanan namin. Although pangit yung first two sets namin, at least nakabawi kami,” said Choco Mucho captain Maddie Madayag, one of the club’s pillars.

Creamline touched the net that gave Choco Mucho a crucial lead in the deciding fifth set, 14-13, before Valdez hammered in a cross-court kill to even the match.

Rondina committed what could’ve been a deadly attack error that met the net to briefly give Creamline the edge but Tubino rose to the occasion and tied the game at 15-all.

Madayag blocked Valdez for the Choco Mucho lead again but Valdez nailed a clutch kill off the block. Rondina gave her all to a cross-court attack to end the extended set and secure the Flying Titans’ first win in 13 games over Creamline.

“‘Tong Creamline na to, ang hirap niyang i-beat pero sa tulong ng teammates coaches nagisa kami kaya nanalo kami,” Tubino said. “Yung semis gusto ko lang talaga manalo [against] itong Creamline na ‘to. Chance na namin kasi wala si Tots so grinab talaga namin na yun talaga yung mindset namin na manalo talaga this time.”