Choco Mucho mounted a remarkable comeback after a sluggish start, overcoming ZUS Coffee, 14-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-18, in a clash of winless teams in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at Philsports Arena in Pasig Saturday night.
Royse Tubino emerged as the game-changer, coming off the bench to deliver 21 points with a series of powerful hits. Her performance was pivotal, especially in the last two sets, before she passed the baton to her teammates to seal the victory.
Tubino dished out an efficient 21-of-42 clip on attacks in a three-set stint.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin made a strategic move by benching Zoi Faki after a dismal opening set, reintroducing her late in the fourth when the match was already leaning in their favor.
Faki's return was marked by a successful spike, followed by Maika Ortiz’s running attack, capping off Choco Mucho's impressive fightback and securing their first win in Pool B after two consecutive losses.
Their previous defeats included a shutout loss to the Cignal HD Spikers and a heartbreaking five-set setback to the Akari Chargers, where they had initially dominated by sweeping the first two sets.
The Flying Titans thus improved to 1-2, creating a three-way logjam at third in Pool B with the Petro Gazz Angels and the Capital1 Solar Spikers.
“Sa wakas nanalo rin kami ngayong conference,” said Alinsunurin. “Matagal namin itong hinintay sa dalawang game namin talagang medyo down kami pero ngayon siguro namaximize lang talaga namin kung saan kami advantage sa opensa.”
Saturday night's victory is expected to boost the Flying Titans' morale as they prepare to face the Capital1 Solar Spikers next Thursday.
The team, despite missing some key players, drew inspiration from top player Sisi Rondina, who headed directly into the match from the airport after competing with Alas Pilipinas, providing crucial support.
With Faki out of rotation, Isa Molde stepped up and scored 17 points, while Maddie Madayag and Ortiz finished with nine and eight points, respectively, and Dindin Manabat added four markers for the Flying Titans, who wrapped it up in one hour and 53 minutes.
Faki, who previously scored 13 and 14 points against the HD Spikers and the Chargers, respectively, managed only four markers this time.
Despite Faki's subdued performance, the Flying Titans emerged victorious, outmatching their opponents in both the spiking duel (59-49) and blocking (9-7).
Asaka Tamaru led the charge with 23 points, while Gayle Pascual added 12, and Michelle Gamit and Ypril Tapia combined for 17 markers for the Thunderbelles, who struggled to adjust when the Flying Titans mounted their comeback from the second set onward, ultimately falling to a 0-3 record.
Tamaru made 18 spikes, three blocks and two aces and added nine excellent receptions and nine digs for the Thunderbelles, who will face the Chargers on Thursday.