Flying Titans turn back Cool Smashers, gain big semis head-start

BY KRISTEL SATUMBAGA-VILLAR

Apr 30, 2024 08:07 PM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Choco Mucho crawled back from two sets down to outhustle sister team Creamline, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16, at the start of the single-round robin semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City Tuesday night, April 30.

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Choco Mucho crawled back from two sets down to outhustle sister team Creamline, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16, at the start of the single-round robin semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City Tuesday night, April 30.

Sisi Rondina steers Choco Mucho to another all-important victory. (PVL Images)

High-flying Sisi Rondina carried the cudgels for the Flying Titans in the pivotal moments, unleashing 23 points built on 21 kills as they finally prevailed over the Cool Smashers for the first time since 2019.

The win, likewise, ended Choco Mucho’s 12-game losing spell against Creamline and boosted its bid for a return trip to the finals.

“We simply worked tirelessly, with heart and unwavering determination being the key to this win,” said Rondina in Filipino, who also posted 14 excellent receptions. 

Yet, the triumph was a collective effort from Choco Mucho, which persevered despite the continued absence of Kat Tolentino, Des Cheng and Aduke Ogunsanya.

Royse Tubino also spelled the difference for the Flying Titans with 20 points built on 18 attacks, even as Isa Molde contributed 12 points.

Choco Mucho, which finished No. 2 in the prelims, now stands on the brink of a finals berth, offering the Flying Titans an opportunity for redemption after falling short in the previous AFC championship against the Cool Smashers last December. "It’s difficult to explain because it’s our first time beating Creamline,” said Choco Mucho mentor Dante Alinsunurin in Filipino.

“I’m extremely thankful for our performance. The situation were were in was really tough, but our coaches really pushed us to do what needed to be done and make the necessary adjustments," he added.

Creamline, which entered the Final Four as the fourth-seeded team, banked on its hard-hitting attacks spearheaded by Jema Galanza and Alyssa Valdez, but stumbled in the crunch.

The Cool Smashers actually exploded with 71 kills compared to the Flying Titans’ 53, only for their efforts to go futile.

Galanza finished with 23 points, while Valdez added 21 in a losing effort for Creamline.