Choco Mucho bounced back from a first-set stumble with a commanding fourth-set performance, securing a 21-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-15 victory over Akari to bolster its playoff seeding drive in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference prelims at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Saturday.
Sisi Rondina once again led the charge for the Flying Titans, soaring with a 17-hit performance for an 18-point output. Her relentless attacks, coupled with a solid defensive display of nine excellent digs, fueled Choco Mucho’s third consecutive win, showcasing their ability to thrive in various match situations.
The Chargers appeared poised for their third straight win and sixth overall, starting strong with a well-executed first set. However, their unraveling began in the second set, where a flurry of unforced errors, poor receptions, and service miscues allowed the Flying Titans to gain control.
Despite matching Choco Mucho in attacks (49-49) and even leading in blocks (10-6) and aces (6-2), Akari’s downfall was its erratic play. The Chargers gave away a staggering 37 free points on unforced errors, nearly doubling Choco Mucho’s 19 miscues.
The breakdown was evident in key moments, particularly in the last three sets, where they struggled to sustain momentum.
With the victory, Choco Mucho improved to a 6-3 record with 18 points, tying Cignal and PLDT for third place. However, due to point differentials, the Flying Titans currently sit at No. 5.
The win served as a major confidence boost for the squad as they gear up for critical matchups against the Nxled Chameleons on Feb. 13 at Philsports Arena and the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Feb. 22 in Iloilo City.
“We had a lot of lapses at the start, but we managed to recover and finish strong,” said Rondina in Filipino, emphasizing the team’s resilience. “It was a team effort, and we stayed composed while keeping our trust in the coaches.”
Choco Mucho, known for its tenacity in extended battles, ensured that they wouldn’t be dragged into a fifth-set duel, despite having won all three of their previous five-setters against Galeries Tower, Farm Fresh, and ZUS Coffee.
Alongside Rondina’s explosive performance, Dindin Manabat displayed vintage form, finishing with 12 points, while Molde added eight markers. Maika Ortiz and Cherry Nunag chipped in five points each, with Des Cheng and Deanna Wong contributing four apiece.
The third set saw Akari fail to close out crucial rallies, allowing Choco Mucho to capitalize on late errors. A costly long serve from Bang Pineda and a wayward attack from Fifi Sharma handed the Flying Titans the set, shifting the tide in their favor.
By the fourth set, the Chargers had completely lost their rhythm, faltering from the outset. Choco Mucho pounced on their struggles, racing to a 9-5 lead behind an Isa Molde down-the-line kill. The Chargers’ defensive lapses worsened as Molde delivered another power hit, followed by an Akari net infraction and a crucial Ortiz block on Faith Nisperos, pushing the lead to 12-4.
The Chargers never recovered, succumbing to their fifth loss (5-5 record) and slipping to a tie for sixth place with Chery Tiggo.
Ivy Lacsina matched Rondina’s 18-point output, while Nisperos (13 points) and Fifi Sharma (10 points) provided additional firepower. Kamille Cal (8), Joy Soyud (6), Camille Victoria (5), and Erika Raagas (5) also made their mark, but their collective efforts weren’t enough to overcome the team’s self-inflicted wounds.
