Choco Mucho's Sisi Rondina in action in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference. Photo from PVL Media Bureau
MANILA ā With their semis seat already locked in, Choco Mucho's goal is maintaining momentum and keeping in shape.
That's what the Flying Titans achieved after roasting Farm Fresh in five long sets, 25-15, 24-26, 21-25, 25-21, 15-12 in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Sisi Rondina fired a game-high 29 points on 24 attacks and five blocks and had 18 excellent receptions, while Royse Tubino chipped in 16 markers, and Isa Molde added 12.
Farm Fresh's Trisha Tubu paced her team with 32 points ā also her career-best scoring ā on 30 attacks and two blocks, while Kate Santiago delivered 21.
After an authoritative opening frame by Dante Alinsunurin's cogs, they squandered a 23-21 cushion in extended Set 2.
Rondina even gave Choco Mucho first set point, 24-23, with an off-the-block kill, but that was the Flying Titans' last point as Tubu sparked a 3-0 rally after she fired a down-the-line hit.
Santiago then followed through with another down-the-line and Aprylle Tagsip delivered the frame for the Foxies after turning back one of Flying Titans' hitters.
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In Set 3, Farm Fresh protected its lead after pulling away from an 8-all deadlock. The Flying Titans still closed in at 23-21, but Rizza Cruz and Chinnie Arroyo fired consecutive kills for a 2-1 set lead.
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Down 2-1,Ā Rondina was then there to lift Choco Mucho in Set 4, scoring five of her team's last six points to force a decider.
It was also the hard-hitting Rondina who concluded the match in the rubber set with consecutive back-row hits to close the 2-hour, 33-minute volleyball battle.
For Alinsunurin, the five-setter was a test of character as he gave the gritty Farm Fresh side the credit.
"Well, ngayon pa lang talagang binigyan na kami ng test talaga para pagdating ng semifinals, talagang ma-maximize namin mga ginagawa namin. Pero siyempre, credit sa Farm Fresh. Trinabaho talaga nila 'yung in terms of skills, 'yung receive nila. Talagang do'n kami nahirapan," the Choco Mucho mentor said. "The more na nagka-receive sila, nahirapan kami sa blocking namin saka pattern namin ng floor defense."
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