MANILA – Choco Mucho Flying Titans squandered a two-set lead before pulling off a 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12 victory over Farm Fresh Foxies in the PVL 2nd All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Marionne Alba finished with 25 excellent sets to go with one point to be named Player of the Game as the Flying Titans halted their three-game losing skid to improve to a 3-3 win-loss slate.
“Masaya kasi magpapasko kami na galing sa panalo,” the former De La Salle University Lady Spikers playmaker said in a post-game interview.
“For us ‘yung consistency talaga, ‘yung communication medyo kailangan pa naming paghirapan pa,” she added. “Hoping kami na makakuha ng marami pang panalo and paghihirapan pa namin sa practice.”
Cherry Ann Rondina led the way for the Flying Titans with 26 points, Katrina Tolentino added 18 markers, while Maria Lina Molde and Cherry Nunag each finished with 10 points.
Trisha Tubu finished with 31 points to lead the Foxies, while Caitlyn Viray and Negrense Alyssa Bertolano added 15 and 10 markers, respectively, as they saw their two-game winning run snapped to drop to a 2-3 record.
Meanwhile, Creamline Cool Smashers overcame an upset try from ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles for a 25-22, 28-30, 26-24, 17-25, 15-13 victory.
Alyssa Valdez spearheaded the offense with 17 points to be named Player of the Game as the defending champions Cool Smashers stayed on top with a perfect 4-0 win-loss slate.
“Even in practice, we simulate these kinds of scenarios to build mental toughness,” Valdez said, referring to their tight finish against the vastly-improved Thunderbelles in the fifth set.
“The good thing is that we’re able to execute and apply them effectively during games,” she added. “Personally, I just enjoyed the game. ZUS Coffee really challenged us, but we’re happy to come away with the win.”/PN