Choco Mucho in titan form to melt Cool Smashers

Choco Mucho’s Mars Alba (left) and Maika Ortiz celebrate after winning against Creamline for the first time since 2019 in the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig on Tuesday, April 30. PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines: There is a first time in everything.

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans pulled what seemed to be impossible after not backing down the fight, as they were down by two sets then came alive in the remaining frames for a successful reverse sweep and win for the first time ever against sister team Creamline.

Wearing the purple jersey, Mars Alba manifested and blurted out the words, “atin ‘to (this is ours)” to her teammates in the deciding frame where they were trading points and tied at 14-all.

“Everything was working. That is when I feel that we are gelling already. In the latter part of the fifth set, I was having goosebumps already, I told them, this is ours, we should not let it slip away,” Alba told the press while recalling the moment when they were tied at a fifth set.

Alba tallied a total of 10 excellent sets, while Sisi Rondina led her squad with 23 points (21 attacks, a block, and an ace), and also tallied 14 excellent receptions.

Team captain Maddie Madayag served as Choco Mucho’s fortress with eight points on seven blocks and an attack.

With “Madzilla” showing, Madayag had one word to describe what she is feeling: “Finally”

“Finally, that’s it. Since we prepared for them in so many conferences and we were always short, but finally. We really prepared, even though our first two sets were not good but we overcame it.” Madayag said.

The five-foot-six high leaper Rondina also credited her teammates and shared how grateful she is.

“I credit my teammates, we all worked for this game, and finally we took one against Creamline. Our trust to each other a while ago, and our heart is there. Until the ball does not fall, we will fight. We might be short in our lineup and we are not complete, and this is all we have, so I really credit our coach,” Rondina said

It was not just Rondina who was on fire as Royse Tubino fulfilled her promise to step up while Kat Tolentino was on the bench due to her auditory condition.

Tubino tallied a double-double performance of 20 points, and 12 excellent digs, while Isa Molde made 12 points to add to the offense of Choco Mucho.

Thang Ponce was also on her A-game after sweeping the floor, tallying 12 excellent digs and 14 excellent receptions.

Everything was in rhythm for the Flying Titans to finally win against their long-time tormentors.

This win ended the 12-game winning streak of the Cool Smashers over the Flying Titans.

Alyssa Valdez made her best performance in the conference with 21 points, while Jema Galanza added 23.

Three-time PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP) Tots Carlos is not around since she was in South Korea for the Korean Volleyball League tryouts. NICOLE ANNE D.G. BUGAUISAN