Choco Mucho rose from the brink to deliver a thrilling reverse sweep against ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, clinching a 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-9 victory in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminaries at the Philsports Arena on Saturday.
Sisi Rondina once again took the spotlight, delivering an electrifying 25 points and nine excellent receptions. Dindin Manabat complemented Rondina’s efforts with a vintage 19-point performance, including crucial hits in the final two sets, propelling Choco Mucho to a 4-3 record and a solo fifth-place finish.
The two-hour, seven-minute match marked Choco Mucho’s second consecutive five-set victory, building on its momentum from a gritty win against Farm Fresh in December that saw them blow a 2-0 lead.
Deena Wong emerged as the standout performer, orchestrating the offense with precision. She delivered 10 excellent sets and contributed seven points, four of which came from clever 1-2 plays, including a decisive one that landed perfectly on the baseline.
Her brilliance left the Thunderbelles stunned as their strong start unraveled into a forgettable finish.
“It’s a great way to start the year with a win. Hopefully, we can keep this up,” said Wong, acknowledging her teammates’ collective effort during the match.
Rondina’s relentless play was supported by Isa Molde, who scored 13 points and tallied 11 digs, and Lorraine Pecana, who contributed 11 markers, including a pivotal quick attack in the deciding frame.
The Thunderbelles, powered by Chai Troncoso’s 17 points and Gayle Pascual’s 15 markers, dominated the first two sets with aggressive offense and tight defense. Thea Gagate and Michelle Gamit added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
However, the Thunderbelles struggled to maintain their composure in the face of Choco Mucho’s comeback. A crucial seven-point run led by Rondina in the fifth set sealed the Thunderbelles’ fate.
“Our defense and blocking improved in the third set, and we executed our plays as planned,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin in Filipino. “Hopefully, we can sustain this level of play.”
“Masaya kami kasi sa mga ensayo namin, lumalabas ang mga resulta sa laro,” said Rondina, reflecting on the team’s improvement. “Masaya rin kasi parang imposible na makuha ang ilang bola, pero nabibigla kami dahil naiitaas pa rin namin. Itutuloy namin ang ganitong laro, pero siyempre, kailangan pa rin magtrabaho nang husto.”
On the other side, Chai Troncoso lit up the scoreboard early, powering the Thunderbelles to back-to-back set wins en route to a 17-point showing. Gayle Pascual added a remarkable 15-point performance, while Thea Gagate and Michelle Gamit chipped in with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Despite their strong start, the Thunderbelles eventually crumbled under the relentless pressure and balanced attack of the Flying Titans.
Choco Mucho narrowly outperformed ZUS Coffee in scoring, 68-65, with both teams recording 10 block points. However, the Flying Titans capitalized on their opponents' shaky service reception, delivering five aces while allowing just one.
The loss was particularly bitter for the Thunderbelles, who initially seemed to have figured out the Flying Titans’ strategies in the first two sets. Unfortunately for them, they faltered when it mattered most, unable to match the consistency and poise of their experienced rivals.
