MANILA – Choco Mucho Flying Titans delivered a stern reality check to Galeries Tower Highrisers with a dominant 25-13, 25-19, 25-17 victory in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Deanna Wong showed signs of returning to her old form, tallying seven excellent sets and contributing one point as the Flying Titans climbed to a share of the top spot with the Creamline Cool Smashers and the PLDT High Speed Hitters, boasting a 6-1 record.
“Si Deanna, nakuha na rin unti-unti ‘yung rhythm niya sa paglalaro,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Sana lang magtuloy-tuloy, ‘yung mga ganong sitwasyon na nagagamit namin, ‘yung iba naming mga players.”
Cherry Ann Rondina led the way with 16 points on 13 attacks, two service aces, and a block, while Cherry Rose Nunag delivered 12 markers to earn Player of the Game honors.
Audrey Paran finished with nine points and eight digs, while France Ronquillo delivered eight points for the Highrisers, which saw their two-game winning run snapped to drop to a 2-5 record.
The High Speed Hitters, meanwhile, managed to move up to joint first place after scoring a 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 victory over the Akari Power Chargers in the first game of double-header.
Mary Joy Baron secured her second consecutive Player of the Game honors after top-scoring for the High Speed Hitters with 13 points, while Savannah Davison added a double-double of 11 points and 11 excellent receptions.
Erika Santos also made her contribution with nine points; Kim Fajardo tallied 14 excellent sets and eight points; and Aklanon Dell Palomata and Ilongga Fiola Ceballos each scored seven points for PLDT.
“Happy na nag-perform kami, malakas ‘yung Akari eh. Sadyang ‘yung complacency pinakaproblema namin kung sakali pero nag-perform naman,” said High Speed Hitters head coach Rald Ricafort.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat top-scored for Akari with nine points, while Grethcel Soltones contributed eight points, 11 receptions, and six digs as the Chargers fell to 2-5, suffering their second consecutive defeat./PN
