Choco Mucho –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
It took some time but Choco Mucho finally notched an elusive first victory over its sister team Creamline. And it got here at a really crucial time.
The Flying Titans clinched a head start within the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals by coming from behind to thwart the Cool Smashers, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 in front of 6,407 rowdy fans that flocked PhilSports Arena even on a Tuesday night.
“Finally, that’s all I can say,” said team captain Maddie Madayag, who has been with Choco Mucho because the start of the franchise. “We’ve been preparing for the Cool Smashers for a way many conferences already but we at all times fall short. [F]inally, we prepared a lot [and] although we had a nasty first two sets, no less than we got back.”
“I can’t explain the sensation since it’s our first time to win against Creamline,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said in Filipino after Choco Mucho’s first victory over the defending champions in 13 matches.
“We were really in a troublesome situation earlier but my coaches thought hard on what we are able to do contained in the court, what adjustments we are able to do and I’m so thankful that we got the win,” he added as Choco Mucho took the lead in the one round semifinals.
Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz are battling for a share of that lead at press time.
Choco Mucho was still missing Kat Tolentino but there was no shortage of firepower among the many Flying Titans who still had Sisi Rondina on the forefront. Rondina, battling cramps, delivered 23 points from 21 attacks, a block and an ace while also logging 14 excellent receptions.
Royse Tubino continued to fill within the gap left by Tolentino splendidly as she held Rondina’s hands with 20 points, 18 coming from attacks. The versatile hitter, who also had 12 excellent digs, was a part of a key adjustment made by the Flying Titans within the third set, where she was moved to the surface hitter’s position.
Timely adjustments
“I credit this win to educate Dante for his timely adjustments, he made me an open spiker within the third set, and to my teammates who had quite a lot of understanding and had quite a lot of patience that’s why we got the win,” Tubino said.
Isa Molde accomplished the three-headed battering ram of the Flying Titans as she contributed 12 points while Madayag had eight points, seven of which got here from Choco Mucho’s 15 blocks.
Choco Mucho wasn’t the just one missing a key player as Tots Carlos was also absent for Creamline.
The three-time Most Useful Player flew to check out for the Korean V-League, giving Choco Mucho a now-or-never moment that the Flying Titans capitalized on.
Still, Creamline proved it has the depth to survive Carlos’ absence, seizing the primary two sets and even gaining match point within the fifth.
“Creamline is de facto hard to beat but with the assistance of my teammates and coaches, we became one to win,” Tubino said.
Choco Mucho still have two matches remaining to bolster its hopes of booking a return ticket to the Finals.
It was also an enormous night for setter Mars Alba, who Choco Mucho signed in the course of the offseason from the disbanded F2 Logistics. The short-thinking playmaker had also never experienced getting a win over the three-time defending All-Filipino Conference champion.
“I’m really completely happy because even after I was in F2, I didn’t experience winning over Creamline,” said Alba, who despite playing off the bench orchestrated her crew’s offense with 10 excellent sets. INQ
