Out of the quarterfinal race but never out of fight, Choco Mucho stormed out of the PVL Reinforced Conference with heads held high, turning in a stirring 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 triumph over Akari in their final outing at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal on Tuesday.
From the first serve to the final whistle, the Flying Titans played like a team still battling for a playoff berth, refusing to let their elimination define the way they would end the season. Instead, they competed with urgency, grit and a collective pride that gave the Chargers more than just a quarterfinal preview – it gave them fits.
At the heart of Choco Mucho’s spirited stand was veteran spiker Royse Tubino, whose MVP-level performance exemplified the team’s refusal to go quietly.
Taking to heart coach Dante Alinsunurin’s reminder that they had “nothing to lose,” Tubino delivered a rare triple-double: – 20 points, 11 excellent digs and 10 receptions, a testament to her all-around brilliance and enduring toughness.
“Sabi ni coach, nothing to lose… kaya ginawa lang namin ‘yung part namin. Masaya kaming naglaro at nagtulong-tulong,” said Tubino, who is more accustomed to coming off the bench than starting, yet consistently delivers whenever called upon.
Given a starter's slot in Choco Mucho’s final match of an otherwise disappointing campaign, Tubino seized the moment and set the tone. Her power, composure and leadership kept the Flying Titans steady even as they repeatedly clawed back from three- to four-point deficits in the last two sets.
“Siguro ‘pag nagkamali yung isa, i-cover mo. Huwag mong pabayaan ‘yung mali,” she added, encapsulating the brand of teamwork that defined their gritty stand.
Yet, in true Tubino fashion, she refused to take full credit.
“I want to thank my teammates na andyan para sa akin. Sobrang grateful ako sa team,” she said.
Import Marlee Smith also chose the perfect moment for a memorable farewell, smashing down the match-clinching hit – so thunderous that setter Mars Alba could only deflect it toward the Choco Mucho bench. Smith finished with 18 points and a smile tinged with nostalgia.
“I will miss the fans – and the food,” she said.
Despite ending with a 3-5 slate, Choco Mucho’s final victory propelled them to ninth place, pending Chery Tiggo’s last elimination match. More importantly, it served as a reminder of the team’s potential – of a group capable of competing with any team in the league when playing loose, confident and united.
For Akari, the loss was a bitter blow. Expected to firm up their quarterfinal position, the Chargers instead slid from No. 5 to provisional No. 7 with a 4-4 record, left waiting for the outcomes of Capital1 and Chery Tiggo’s remaining matches.
Though they avoided a possible blockbuster clash with the Creamline Cool Smashers, the Chargers now face the possibility of meeting the likes of PLDT, ZUS Coffee or Farm Fresh in the next round.
Statistically, Choco Mucho barely trailed in attacks (56-57) and aces (3-4) and edged Akari in blocks (9-8), but the biggest difference came from Akari’s 28 costly unforced errors – mistakes the Flying Titans readily capitalized on amid their relentless pressure.
Akari’s own import, Annie Michem, erupted for 30 big points, while Eli Soyud chipped in 17. Middle blockers Fifi Sharma and Ced Domingo added seven apiece, but Grethcel Soltones was limited to just a single marker in a rare off-night.
In the end, the match was more than a win for Choco Mucho – it was a message.
Eliminated but unbroken, the Flying Titans proved that pride, professionalism and passion can shine even when the stakes are gone. And with players like Tubino demonstrating the heart of a true competitor, the franchise walks away from this conference with lessons, momentum and hope for better, soaring days.
