ILOCOS NORTE - Choco Mucho prevailed in a pair of extended sets that sandwiched a lopsided loss then dominated the fourth to mark its Premier Volleyball League debut with a 28-26, 10-25, 27-25, 25-11 victory over a luckless PLDT Home Fibr, Wednesday at the PCV Socio-Civic Cultural Center in Bacarra here.
But it was not the kind of start expected from a young, talented team which boasts of a triple tower combo in Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino and Bea de Leon, although the Flying Titans showed guts and composure in pulling off those tough wins before settling down with a trouble-free run to complete the victory.
"Sobrang excited namin nung Sunday pa, gusto na namin mag laro siguro inano lang ni Lord para maging safe," said Flying Titans head coach Oliver Almadro as their game against BaliPure was postponed due to rain. "Pero yun nga we're really excited now it's our first game."
Choco Mucho needed to survive PLDT's Jorelle Singh and Isa Molde, who were the spitfires of the Power Hitters during the middle sets.
"Marami pang dapat ayusin alam niyo naman after one and a half year ito lang yung unang laro namin, maraming kailangan iadjust and kailangan pa naming pataasin yung level namin because mataas yung level ng tournament. Kailangan mag-achieve kami nang mag-achieve at kailangan mag-level up every game," he continued.
Tolentino led the way for Choco Mucho with 18 points built on 17 attacks while De Leon added 15 points that included a couple of blocks.
Deanna Wong strung together 26 excellent sets along with 13 digs and four points while Denden Lazaro had 24 digs and nine receptions.
PLDT fell to 0-3, its hopes to make the semis diminishing with every setback in the single round elims.
Molde had a game-high 19 points along with 23 digs and 10 receptions while Singh added 19 points.
