BY ABBY TORALBA
CHOCO Mucho tripped United Auctioneers Inc.-Army 26-24, 25-10, 25-17 yesterday to enhance its semifinals hopes in the PVL Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Reinforcement Odina Aliyeva led the Flying Titans with 20 points, 17 off attacks, two blocks and one service ace, along with 11 excellent receptions and six digs, while Kat Tolentino fired 14 markers.
The Flying Titans rose to 3-3 and fortified their chances of advancing to the semis. Chery Tiggo and Creamline have already clinched slots in the Last Four.
“Siyempre, malaking bagay ito kumbaga para mai-balik iyong kumpiyansa ng mga bata,” interim coach Edjet Mabbayad, who took over from Oliver Almadro, said.
“Hindi masyadong maganda iyong nangyari sa amin noong past two games so sobrang laking bagay ito,” he added.
The Lady Troopers reached set point first in the opening frame 24-23, but the Flying Titans managed to equalize 24-all after a through the block hit by Tolentino.
A back row hit from Aliyeva and an off-the-block kill from Cheng finished the set for Choco Mucho.
The Flying Titans showed no signs of slowing down and led 14-6 following a 9-1 run in the second.
Choco Mucho increased the gap to 24-10 as Tolentino closed the set with a down the line kill.
In the third frame, Choco Mucho surged ahead 11-8 following a kill from Cheng as Aliyeva took the Flying Titans to 20-16.
Tolentino brought the Flying Titans to match point after a back row attack 24-17 then closed the match following an attack error from the side of UAI-Army.
