MANILA – Choco Mucho Flying Titans rallied back from two sets down to defeat PLDT High Speed Hitters, 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16, in Game 1 of the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals over the weekend at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Marionne Alba finished with 16 excellent sets, nine excellent digs, and three points, on two attacks and one service ace, to be named Player of the Game as the Flying Titans took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.
Cherry Rondina top-scored for the Flying Titans with 31 points, on 29 attacks and two service aces, to go with 15 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions, while Honey Royce Tubino and Maria Lina Molde added 20 and 11, respectively.
After failing to protect their three-point lead late in the fifth set, the Flying Titans leaned on back-to-back conversions from Rondina to break the 16-all deadlock and complete the come-from-behind win.
“Sinimulan lang namin dun sa gusto naming mangyari sa laro, which is dictate the tempo, kaya nakuha namin ito,” Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin said, referring to their comeback from two sets down.
Savannah Davison led the High Speed Hitters with 25 points, Erika Santos added 17 markers, while Fiola Ceballos and Mary Joy Baron contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, Akari Power Chargers recovered from a set down to defeat the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11, in Game 1 of their quarterfinals series.
Negrense Christine Joy Soyud recorded 19 points, built on 18 attacks and one service ace, to be named Player of the Game as the Power Chargers took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three quarterfinal series.
“Our mindset was simply to fight until the end since we were already in the fifth set,” Soyud stated after the game. “We also maintained our composure during the crucial moments.”
Ivy Lacsina led Akari’s offense with a season-high of 28 points, built on 22 attacks and six blocks, while Gretchel Soltones contributed 10 points./PN
