In a heart-stopping, tension-filled clash, Choco Mucho battled past a determined PLDT squad, clinching a semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference with a dramatic 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 victory at the Philsports Arena in Pasig on Thursday night.
Sisi Rondina, who had been denied in two previous attempts, delivered the decisive blow, scoring the match-winning point against two PLDT defenders. Overcome with emotion, she collapsed to the floor, hands covering her face – a fleeting moment of triumph, passion and relief.
The victory extended Choco Mucho’s unbeaten record in five-set matches to 6-0 and marked a redemption arc for the Flying Titans, who struggled at the start of the record six-month long conference.
Setter Mars Alba, who played a crucial role in the team’s comeback from a 0-2 set deficit (20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16) in their opening quarterfinals match last Saturday, encapsulated their journey from the eliminations to the semis.
"Grabe! Kudos to our team and coaches. We started from the bottom, and now we’re here!" she exclaimed after earning another Best Player of the Game award.
Alba orchestrated the Flying Titans’ offense with 22 excellent sets and contributed a surprising seven-point performance, including a clutch off-speed attack that broke a tense 13-all count in the final set.
That decisive point shattered PLDT’s resolve, and in the next play, a free ball allowed Rondina to unleash the match-clinching attack, sparking a wild celebration inside the arena.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, PLDT fought valiantly, nearly forcing a rubber match after winning the fourth set and surging ahead 4-0 in the decider behind the heavy-hitting Savi Davison. However, momentum shifted as Davison committed three crucial attack errors, allowing Choco Mucho to claw back into the game.
A Rondina ace put the Flying Titans ahead at 6-5, followed by a net infraction by Dell Palomata that widened the gap to 9-6. PLDT responded with three straight points to level the set at 9, setting up another nerve-wracking finish.
Choco Mucho took a 13-11 lead after Kim Dy was penalized for reaching beyond the net – a call upheld after a referee challenge. But PLDT refused to back down. Davison delivered her 33rd point and tied her career-high with a down-the-line hit, forcing another deadlock at 13.
That was when Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin pulled off a strategic move, setting up Alba for a surprise attack. The setter responded with precision, delivering a point that pushed the Flying Titans to match point.
"I didn’t expect that coach would make me a spiker. But whatever ball is given to me, I will find a way to help the team," said Alba in Filipino.
Moments later, Rondina sealed the deal with a powerful hit past PLDT’s blockers, securing Choco Mucho’s place in the round-robin semis.
Rondina led Choco Mucho with 21 points, while Royse Tubino added 15 markers. Isa Molde chipped in eight points, while Maika Ortiz and Cherry Nunag matched Alba’s seven-point output. Like in Game One, Ortiz also played a crucial role, highlighted by a quick attack that shoved Choco Mucho back in the lead, 10-9, in Set 5, but limped off in the ensuing play.
On the other side, Davison erupted for 34 points in a valiant effort for PLDT, supported by Majoy Baron’s 17 points, Erika Santos’ 13 and Fiola Ceballos’ 11.
Despite falling short in another five-set heartbreaker – mirroring their controversial defeat in last year’s Reinforced Conference semifinals – PLDT walked off the court with heads held high, having given Choco Mucho a classic battle filled with drama, intensity and breathtaking rallies.
