PLDT shattered Choco Mucho’s dream of a backdoor entry into the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference quarterfinals, claiming a 21-25, 25-18, 25-16, 25-19 victory in front of a disheartened Flying Titans fanbase at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday.
After Choco Mucho edged out PLDT with a four-point win in the opening set, the High Speed Hitters quickly regrouped, showcasing their strength and skills to level the match in the second set.
The momentum fully shifted as PLDT dominated the next two sets, playing with the urgency of a team desperate for a win, despite already being assured of a quarterfinal spot in the mid-season conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
The victory solidified PLDT’s position as the No. 4 seed behind unbeaten Akari, Cignal and Creamline. The High Speed Hitters’ win also handed the Farm Fresh Foxies a free pass to the quarterfinals, securing the eighth and final spot with a 3-5 record.
“Siguro hindi namin best (itong pinakita naming). Pero ‘yun nga, ang daming factors eh. Baka ‘yung pacing, baka alam na sure na kami sa four or five (spot), pero hindi pwede ‘yung ganung laro,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort. “Bawi kami this next game sa Chery Tiggo. Credits din sa Choco kasi gusto rin talaga nilang manalo.”
Choco Mucho, which needed a three- or four-set victory to edge out Farm Fresh, ended its campaign with a 2-6 record – a disappointing finish following its impressive runner-up performance in the All-Filipino Conference.
The Flying Titans thus joined the Nxled Chameleons (1-7), the Galeries Tower Highrisers, and the ZUS Thunderbelles, (both 0-8), on the sidelines.
Choco Mucho sorely missed the services of top scorer Sisi Rondina and ace middle blocker Chery Nunag, both of whom were loaned to the Alas Pilipinas team. However, many other teams also had to do without star players who were called up for international competitions.
Worsening their predicament, the Flying Titans were also without their import, Zoi Faki, who was sidelined due to the flu.
Regardless of the outcome of the final elimination round match between Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo, the Crossovers have secured the No. 5 seed.
Meanwhile, Akari will face off against Farm Fresh at 6 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday) at the San Juan Arena, marking the start of the knockout quarterfinals.
Choco Mucho started strong, jumping to a 10-4 lead and maintaining its edge despite a late six-point surge from PLDT. The Flying Titans managed to secure the first set after battling PLDT to a side-out duel.
But PLDT had other plans, determined to enter the quarterfinals on a winning note after a tough five-set loss to Petro Gazz last weekend.
Elena Samoilenko led the charge for PLDT with 30 points, receiving strong support from Kiesha Bedonia (16), Erika Santos (13), Majoy Baron (9), and Mika Reyes (5), as the High Speed Hitters overwhelmed the Flying Titans in the second set.
The momentum from the set-leveling win carried over into the third set, where PLDT delivered an even more decisive blow. The High Speed Hitters then capitalized on Choco Mucho’s lackluster performance in the fourth set to cruise to victory.
Choco Mucho saved four match points, including two from Kat Tolentino, but a Thang Ponce overpass after a brief exchange set up Bedonia for a powerful tip, sealing the imposing triumph for the High Speed Hitters.
Dindin Manabat fired 22 points, while Maddie Madayag and Royse Tubino posted nine and seven markers, respectively, and Maika Ortiz and Tolentino finished with five points apiece.