For the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, Thursday night was a moment of celebration and relief as they finally ended their five-game losing streak against the formidable Cignal HD Spikers.
The Ynares Center in Antipolo witnessed an exhilarating match that will be remembered by the Flying Titans.
Thang Ponce, their libero, couldn't contain her joy as she exclaimed, "We're just so happy because we finally got our revenge against Cignal!"
The Flying Titans' victory was not just an ordinary win; they did it in a spectacular fashion, sweeping Cignal in straight sets with scores of 25-21, 25-19, and 25-18. This triumph was more than just a victory; it was a statement of their resilience and newfound strength.
Their unfortunate streak against Cignal began back in the 2022 Open when they lost to the HD Spikers in four sets during the battle for third place on April 8, 2022.
This marked the beginning of a series of heart-wrenching losses.
Under the guidance of various coaches, including Oliver Almadro, Edjet Mabbayad, and their current mentor Dante Alinsunurin, Choco Mucho suffered four more defeats.
Breaking the Cignal code and defeating Coach Shaq Delos Santos was a significant accomplishment for Alinsunurin. It was a validation of their hard work.
Alinsunurin, a highly regarded coach in men's volleyball, said, "Winning means a lot to us because we've been waiting for this for a long time, from the first conference to the second conference, and now in the third conference, we've finally achieved it."
For Choco Mucho, it was a long-awaited redemption, and they hope this win will dent Cignal's confidence in future matches.
Thang Ponce, the Player of the Game, played a crucial role in this historic victory, recording 17 digs and serving as the Flying Titans' defensive anchor. She emphasized that this win signifies their team's full understanding of Alinsunurin's system.
Alinsunurin took over as coach at the start of the 2023 season, and despite some initial challenges, including finishing seventh in both the First All-Filipino and the Invitationals, the team has now found its rhythm.
Ponce said, "We've finally applied the system that our coach teaches. We just trust our coach, and they give us everything we need; we just need to work for it."
The victory against Cignal was not just a result of individual brilliance; it was a testament to the team's commitment and their faith in their coach's strategies.
