In a thrilling five-set battle, Mean Mendrez made a triumphant return to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, leading her team to a vital 25-16, 25-11, 23-25, 19-25, 15-12 victory over the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena on Tuesday.
Mendrez, who recently underwent a knee procedure, was reactivated by Choco Mucho in a bid to inject much-needed firepower into the team.
She delivered a clutch performance, scoring 18 points, including five crucial hits in the deciding fifth set.
Her heroics helped keep the Flying Titans’ quarterfinal hopes alive as they improved to a 2-4 record, tying with Farm Fresh at eighth place.
Despite the victory, Choco Mucho’s road to the quarterfinals remains challenging.
However, the win breathed new life into the team that recently finished as All-Filipino runners-up.
“I’m so proud of my team. We’ve lost two five-set games in the first round, but this win showed our work ethic in practice,” said import Zoi Faki, who also contributed significantly with 10 points, including three blocks.
Faki’s all-around performance, alongside libero Thang Ponce’s nine digs and eight excellent receptions, provided strong support in the Flying Titans’ two-hour, 19-minute victory.
After losing their two-set lead, the team regrouped in the fifth set, with Mendrez and Dindin Manabat leading the charge to secure the win.
“I’m super thankful for the trust from the coaches and the support of my teammates, who were always behind me,” said Mendrez, reflecting on her impactful return.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin praised the team’s newfound confidence, emphasizing, “I think the big factor is that they now believe in what we want to achieve.”
The loss dropped Chery Tiggo to a 4-2 record, sharing fifth place with Capital1.
Kath Bell led the Crossovers with 25 points, but her efforts were not enough to overcome the Flying Titans’ late surge.
Despite strong performances from Pauline Gaston, Ara Galang, and Mary Rhose Dapol, the Crossovers struggled with consistency, particularly in the first two sets.
As the Flying Titans look ahead, their victory over Chery Tiggo marks a critical step in their quest for a quarterfinal berth.
With games against formidable opponents still on the horizon, Choco Mucho must maintain their momentum to advance in the highly competitive PVL Reinforced Conference.
Upcoming Games on Thursday:
- 1 p.m. – Capital1 vs Farm Fresh
- 3 p.m. – Akari vs Nxled
- 5 p.m. – Cignal vs Galeries Tower
