ALREADY the recipient of countless Player of the Game honors, Deanna Wong still found herself overcome with emotions after anchoring Choco Mucho’s sudden death victory over Cignal for the other finals berth last Tuesday.
The triumph granted the Flying Titans a breakthrough pass to a Premier Volleyball League finals after eight conferences and also positioned them to vie for the league’s most prestigious title.
The best-of-three All-Filipino Conference title playoff unfolds at 6 tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City with Choco Mucho considered the clear underdog against sister team and six-time champion Creamline.
Cignal and Chery Tiggo start their own series for the bronze at 4 p.m.
The Flying Titans are more than ready and motivated to surpass expectations, determined to make the most of their rare finals appearance in the season-ending conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
“Finally, nakapasok na kami sa championship round. First conference pa lang nakita namin talaga ‘yung naging paghihirap nu’ng team. Sa second conference, talagang nagbunga ‘yung paghihirap namin, even the coaching staff and the management na lagi kaming gina-guide sa lahat ng ginagawa naming,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin after steering the team to a 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23 win over the Cignal HD Spikers in Game 3 of their semis face-off.
“Siguro talagang lumabas lang ‘yung kagustuhan namin na manalo at makuha ‘yung Game 3. Kita naman sa mga pinag-trabahuhan ng mga bata, talagang nagbunga ‘yung pagod namin,” added Alinsunurin, while acknowledging the team’s hardships and collective efforts that led to their historic finals stint.
Funny but the two teams that ushered in the All-Filipino last Oct. 15 are also closing out the second edition of the league’s centerpiece tournament this year.
While Creamline, which swept Chery Tiggo in their side of the semis playoff, boasts of experience and endgame poise, Choco Mucho relies on its hunger and desire to overcome the obstacles blocking its path to league immortality.
“We aim to elevate our performance even more to achieve our ultimate goal — win the championship,” said Creamline mentor Sherwin Meneses, whose wards are two wins away from completing another sweep.
In 2019, the Cool Smashers won all their 20 games to claim the Open Conference diadem.
