Zoi Faki was captivated by the enthusiastic Choco Mucho supporters who turned out in droves for their 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference opener on Thursday night.
The Greek outside hitter, clad in Choco Mucho’s purple, was treated to a vibrant display of fan energy and a drumline that set the tone from the warm-up period through the final whistle.
Despite the raucous support, Choco Mucho’s debut in the Reinforced Conference ended in disappointment.
The Flying Titans were swept by the Cignal HD Spikers, 18-25, 21-25, 16-25, leaving them with a 0-1 record in Pool B.
For Faki, the experience was bittersweet but unforgettable.
“The experience was amazing,” she said, her eyes still reflecting the excitement of the evening. “It was truly amazing to get out of the tunnel for warm-ups and just listen to the Choco Mucho fans. It’s one of my first times actually living something like this.”
However, despite the overwhelming support, the match didn’t go as hoped. “Well, we didn't get the result that we wanted, so I couldn’t say it was a good first experience,” she admitted. “But we learned a lot from this game, and we’re moving forward.”
Faki was the lone bright spot for Choco Mucho, scoring 13 points on a challenging 13-of-50 hitting clip. She also contributed 10 excellent receptions and eight digs. Yet, she was quick to acknowledge the exceptional defense of the HD Spikers, who managed to neutralize her efforts despite her varied offensive approaches.
“I would say that the level of play is good,” Faki remarked. “Filipinos have a lot of defense, and that was very clear to me today. Even if I was taking smart shots or going with power, Cignal did a great job of getting the ball up. It’s a tough level to play at if you’re not used to the rallies.”
Before joining Choco Mucho, the 25-year-old Greek spiker had stints with Apollon Kalamatas and AO Thiras in Greece, and played collegiate volleyball at the University of Pittsburgh and San Diego State University. Her experience has given her insight into what it takes to succeed at a high level.
As Choco Mucho looks to rebound, Faki remains optimistic. “I think we’re playing great,” she said. “We have a lot of potential and passion. We just need time. It’s a fresh, new lineup, but I believe we have what it takes. We’ll keep going and work hard to earn wins for ourselves and our fans.”
Choco Mucho will next face Akari before taking on ZUS Coffee, Capital1, and the defending champions Petro Gazz.
Faki and the Flying Titans are determined to harness their early lessons and translate them into success as the conference progresses.
