Choco Mucho, stirred by a raucous crowd, pounced on a short-handed Chery Tiggo side and pounded out a 25-21, 25-21, 25-21 triumph to gain an early share of the lead with Cignal HD in the 2022 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference campaign with a win, Saturday at the FilOil Flying V Centre.
The young, tall Flying Titans pulled through in a fight finish in the first set, weathered the Crossovers' late charge in the next then shook off a shaky start in the third before fending off another gritty stand by their rivals in a thrilling endgame marked by long rallies to the delight of the screaming fans from both sides.
The Crossovers, who played without the Santiago sisters - with Jaja Santiago still in the Japan league and Dindin Manabat sustaining an ankle injury in a recent tune-up, kept on fighting through sheer guts and determination, forcing an 18-all count to stay alive.
But the Flying Titans re-asserted their might, taking five of the next seven, only to find the Crossovers back in the game aided by Isa Molde's backrow bid that failed to clear the net, enabling Chery Tiggo to threaten at 23-24 and setting up a thrilling finish.
But after another exchange of hits, blocks, and saves, Kat Tolentino came through with her own backrow blast that hit the hands of Chery Tiggo defender Czarina Carandang and dropped to an unguarded spot in the middle.
Tolentino did most of the damage for the Flying Titans, scoring a game-high 21 points on 20 attacks.
Deanna Wong, who is still nursing a right shin injury, dished out 16 excellent sets for the Flying Titans to go along with five points off three attacks, a block, and an ace.
Isa Molde chipped in nine points and 16 excellent receptions in the win. Aduke Ogunsanya registered three blocks to finish with seven points while Des Chang added six markers and 16 excellent receptions.
"We still have to learn more and to work harder," said Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro. "Nakita niyo naman it's not really an easy match for us, we know naman na undermanned yung Chery but they put up a good fight."
Chery Tiggo did not have EJ Laure, Buding Duremdes, and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
The Crossovers were led by Mylene Paat with 10 points and five digs.
Shaya Adorador had nine points while Jasmine Nabor dished 23 excellent sets along with eight points.
