MANILA – Choco Mucho Flying Titans-Philippines landed a third place finish in the 2023 VTV Cup following a 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-18 win over Kansai University of Japan on Saturday night at the Lao Cai Hall in Vietnam.
Cherry Ann Rondina spearheaded the offense for the Flying Titans with 24 points, including eight in the fourth set, while Madeleine Madayag chipped in 16 markers, with 12 attacks.
Caitlyn Viray also hit double-digits in offense with 13 points, with 10 attacks, while Cherry Nunag ended up with 11 markers, with three blocks, for the Dante Alinsunurin-mentored Choco Mucho.
The Flying Titans went to work in the opening set with Desiree Cheng dropping six points and Rondina, Nunag and Viray adding four each for a 25-20 win but they stumbled in the second set, 23-25.
Choco Mucho managed to bounce back in the third set with Rondina and Madayag exploding for six points each for a 12-point set victory, capped by a service ace from Madayag.
Kansai University tried to keep in step with Choco Mucho early in the fourth but Rondina anchored the Flying Titans’ separation with eight-point contribution to seal their podium finish.
It was the Flying Titans’ second victory against Kansai University in the week-long competition after also defeating the Japanese-based team in the preliminary round, 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22.
The Philippine-based team failed to reach the championship round after suffering a heartbreaking 18-25, 25-18, 12-25, 25-22, 5-15 loss to Vietnam 2 in the semifinals last Friday.
“Magiging malaking impact sa team yung exposure namin sa international,” Alinsunurin said. “Alam naming malaki ang magiging balik sa player kapag naglaro sa international. Mas magiging kumpiyansa sila.”
“Gusto naming i-angat yung standing namin. From seventh place (in Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference, gusto naming pumasok sa Final Four sa All-Filipino Conference,” he added./PN
