Choco Mucho continued to exude an aura of invincibility, foiling Petro Gazz, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, amid an electrifying atmosphere at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday night, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch with Creamline for the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference crown.
The Flying Titans showcased their dominance, particularly in a commanding third-set performance where their firepower and solid net defense left the Angels disheartened. They then pulled away from a tight 16-all count in the fourth frame with a crucial four-hit binge, capped by an ace from Maddie Madayag.
Sisi Rondina and Isa Molde then took control in a decisive finishing surge that dashed any hopes of a comeback the Angels may have harbored.
Rondina unloaded three straight hits in varying fashions, the last one securing her 32nd point, effectively sealing the outcome at 23-19, before Molde delivered a well-placed hit through the block in response to Aiza Pontillas’ emphatic blast.
Molde, a former UP Lady Maroon, then unleashed another power hit to finish with 18 points and clinch the one-hour, 57-minute victory for Choco Mucho.
“Sa semis, nagtrabaho talaga kami ng husto para makapasok sa finals (In the semis, we really worked hard to make it to the finals),” said Rondina, who also produced nine excellent digs and seven receptions to cap a superb all-around performance. “Nagtiwala kami sa isa’t isa at sa system ni coach (Dante Alinsunurin). Sabi nga ni Maddie (Madayag), sama-sama kaming babagsak pero sama-sama din kaming aangat (We trusted each other and coach Dante’s system. Like what Maddie said, we may fall together, but we will also rise together.”
With an impeccable sweep of the semis, Choco Mucho finished on top and earned the right to face Creamline in the championship series.
The Cool Smashers earlier swept the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to advance.
Game One of the best-of-three finals starts on Thursday with the Cool Smashers aiming for a third consecutive championship while the Flying Titans seek redemption from their loss to their sister team in the previous All-Filipino finals.
“Siempre, iba ang galaw at maglaro ang Creamline (Of course, Creamline plays with a different style),” said Rondina, regarding their upcoming rematch with their sister team. “But itutuloy naming kung ano yung ginagawa naming at pagtya-tyagaan naming ito hanggang dulo, para sa mga fans (But we will continue doing what we’ve been doing and we’ll persevere until the end, for the fans).”
After narrowly yielding the first set and snatching the second in extended fashion, Choco Mucho unleashed a relentless assault in the swing set, led by Rondina, who continued to thrill the crowd with her exceptional hitting prowess.
Rondina’s determination was palpable, exemplified by her consecutive hits that turned the tide in favor of the Flying Titans, knotting the match at one set apiece.
Despite Petro Gazz’s resilience in the fourth set, seizing control midway through, Choco Mucho remained composed and rallied, ultimately outlasting the two-time Reinforced Conference champions to secure their spot in the finals.
Madayag added 11 markers while Cherry Nunag had seven points and Royse Tubino slowed down with six points after a 20-point showing against Creamline and a 17-point output against Chery Tiggo.
Brooke Van Sickle scored 21 points for Petro Gazz but struggled in the latter sets while Jonah Sabete and Pontillas matched 14-point outputs and MJ Phillips and Remy Palma scored nine and six points, respectively, for the Angels, who will face the Crossovers in their own series for the bronze.
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