MANILA – Choco Mucho Flying Titans prevented an upset axe from also-ran Farm Fresh Foxies with a come-from-behind 25-15, 24-26, 21-25, 25-21, 15-12 triumph in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Cherry Ann Rondina finished with 29 points, built on 24 attacks and four blocks, to be named Player of the Game as the Flying Titans seized first place in the standings with a 9-2 win-loss slate.
After a tight exchange early in the fifth set, the Flying Titans gained their much-needed separation from Rondina, Maria Lina Molde, and Honey Royce Tubino to reach match point at 14-10.
The Foxies responded with back-to-back scores from Trisha Tubu and Kate Santiago to cut the deficit to 12-14, but an attack error from Farm Fresh completed Choco Mucho’s comeback win.
Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin admitted that they were challenged by the impressive showing of the Foxies, and it was a good test for them ahead of the semifinals round.
“Ngayon pa lang talaga nabigyan na kami ng test talaga para pagdating ng semifinals, ma-maximize talaga namin, ‘yung mga ginagawa namin. Credit sa Farm Fresh, kasi trinabaho talaga nila ‘yung sa skills nila,” Alinsunurin said.
“Talagang nahirapan kami sa blockings and sa defensive pattern namin, pero nakuha naman namin sa tiyaga, buti na lang at na-maximize namin, ‘yung mga players na pwede naming gamitin on the court,” he added.
Meanwhile, NxLed Chameleons got back on the winning track as they took down the Capital1 Solar Energy Solar Spikers, 25-13, 25-23, 25-22, in a battle of two already eliminated teams.
Camille Victoria went on to top-score for the Chameleons with 17 points; Ivy Lacsina poured in 12 markers, while Jho Maraguinot and Jaila Atienza added eight and five points, respectively, as they improved to 4-6.
“We will just focus on our next game against Petro Gazz (Angels),” said Chameleons head coach Taka Minowa. “This win will make up for our confidence heading to that match.”/PN
