ILOCOS NORTE - Choco Mucho held off Petro Gazz, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, to hike its record to 7-1 for second in the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference here, Friday.
But the Flying Titans' final ranking still hinges on the result of their match with the Chery Tiggo Crossovers on Saturday.
The Angels settled for No. 4 with a 6-3 mark for a Final Four clash with the Cool Smashers.
Choco Mucho got its much-needed separation after Regine Arocha and Deanna Wong scored consecutively for the 23-30 advantage in the fourth set.
But Ivy Perez, Jessey De Leon, and Remy Palma fired three-straight to tie the game at 23-all.
A service error from De Leon put the Flying Titans at match-point while another error from Perez ended the match at 25-23.
"Both teams played well, yun lang naman. Yung mga players ko played well also, we thank the Lord for the strength and buti no major injuries so ayun lang," said Choco Mucho head coach Oliver Almadro.
Maddie Madayag finished with 14 points off six blocks while Ponggay Gaston also had 14 in the win.
Kat Tolentino tallied 13 points and 20 excellent digs. Arocha, who played her best game so far but suffered from cramps near the finale, also had 13, while Bea De Leon added 10.
Choco Mucho setter Deanna Wong finished with 26 excellent sets along with nine points while defensive ace Denden Lazaro-Revilla had 21 excellent digs and 13 excellent receptions.
Grethcel Soltones, who received a yellow card early in the fourth, and Ria Meneses led the Angels with 14 points each. Soltones also had 37 excellent receptions.
Chery Tiggo may also end up with a 6-3 slate with a loss to Choco Mucho but the Crossovers hold the edge over the Angels in the tiebreak, having beaten the latter in three last Aug. 1.
