CHOCO Mucho setter Mars Alba has been putting in the work in practice, developing her attacking skills for when the time comes that she needs to step up and contribute beyond just playmaking in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The 5-foot-6 playmaker, who had been participating in the team’s spiking drills, was put to the test last Thursday as she took on a bigger offensive role late in Game 2 of the Flying Titans’ quarterfinals series against PLDT.
In one of the biggest surprises of the series, Deanna Wong entered during the latter part of the high-pressure fifth frame but subbed in for opposite hitter Royse Tubino instead of Alba, who even approached her, thinking she was the one being replaced.
Taking over at the wing for Tubino, Alba delivered a crucial cut shot off a perfectly timed set from Wong, evading two High Speed Hitters up top to break a 13-all deadlock and push Choco Mucho to match point.
Her heroics set the stage for SisiRondina to unleash the game-clinching blow, sending the Flying Titans back to the All-Filipino Conference semifinals for the third consecutive time.
“For me, yunginiisipkonung time nayun, back-up langtalagaako. Given nanasaharaptalagasi Ate, talagangpumorsiyentolangako. Hindi kolang in-expect, pero ready ako,” said Alba, who earned the starting gig after a stellar play off the bench in Game 1.
