By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans bagged a much-needed win after taking down the Capital1 Solar Spikers, 25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-9, in the ongoing Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on November 21, 2024, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Fresh off a nail-biting five-setter victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, the Flying Titans made sure no drama would bloom in the end game and banked on a dominant finish to cap off their third scheduled match with a convincing win.
The more experienced Choco Mucho squad immediately buckled to work in the opening set, exposing Capital1’s gaps in the backline with their quick 1-2 set attacks.
Sisi Rondina made her presence felt early in the game, scoring four points in a jiffy that steered Choco Mucho to an early lead midway through the first set.
The Flying Titans then took a 1-0 lead after capitalizing on the opposition’s unforced errors to enter the next period with the much-needed momentum.
However, Capital1 finally regained their offensive rhythm and nabbed the early cushion courtesy of Leila Cruz’s timely hits.
The former PVL first-round lottery pick energized the Solar Spikers and also dished out a huge helping hand in the middle blocking department.
Just when Capital1 started to gain their footing in the match, Rondina once again emerged spoiler for the Roger Gorayeb-led team as the high-flying outside hitter took over in the clutch to help the Flying Titans advance to a comfortable 2-0 lead.
The Solar Spikers kept themselves alive in the game after pulling off a courageous third-set win but it all ended in the fourth when the Flying Titans voiced out all of their frustrations en route to a dominant win.
In the fourth period, Choco Mucho limited Capital1 to just nine points, their lowest-scoring set of the ongoing All-Filipino Conference so far.
Rondina paid off the trust of the Choco Mucho coaching staff after spearheading her team with 23 points built from 17 successful attacks alongside 12 excellent digs, nine excellent receptions, and four blocks.
Backstopping Rondina was the duo of Royse Tubino and Dindin Santiago-Manabat, who chipped in 12 and 11 markers, respectively.
“Kahit papaano swerte pa rin kami ngayong araw. Yun nga natalo kami nung third set pero pagdating nung fourth set mas nadomina namin yung game dahil yung gusto namin mangyari sa court at lumabas,” said Choco Mucho mentor Dante Alinsunurin after the win.