GAMES SATURDAY
(Ynares Center, Antipolo)
4 p.m. – Galeries Tower vs Petro Gazz
6:30 p.m. – PLDT vs Creamline
CHOCO Mucho extended its winning streak to five, rallying from two sets down to score a 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-10 victory yesterday over the Nxled Chameleon in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference prelims at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Veteran spiker Cherry Ann Rondina powered the Flying Titans with a triple-double outing, sizzling with 23 points, 19 digs and 10 excellent receptions.
Open hitter Isa Molde also contributed offensively with 12 attacks while opposite spiker Dindin Santiago-Manabat and middle blocker Maika Ortiz added nine markers each in the almost three-hour showdown.
Choco Mucho solidified its position in the preliminary standings with a 7-3 slate. The Flying Titans seek to end their preliminary run on a winning note on Feb. 2 when the league goes to Passi, Iloilo, battling Chery Tiggo Crossovers.
The Flying Titans came out strong in the decisive fifth set, seizing the first four points to quickly establish control. They built on that momentum, extending their lead to 9-3, capitalizing on Nxled’s inability to regroup after the intense back-and-forth of the earlier sets.
Choco Mucho’s aggressive plays and composure under pressure prevented any significant counterattacks from the Chameleons, who struggled to find their rhythm in the stretch.
For Nxled, the loss was a tough blow after briefly reviving its campaign with a weekend win over Galeries Tower. The Chameleons showcased their growing maturity, bouncing back from a first-set loss and stunning the Flying Titans with back-to-back set wins.
They even appeared poised for a second straight victory, racing to a commanding 20-15 lead in the fourth frame.
However, the pressure of closing out the match against an experienced opponent proved too much. Choco Mucho capitalized on a series of Nxled errors, including two attack miscues from Lucille Almonte, to level the score at 20. From there, the Flying Titans relied on their veteran poise, with Maika Ortiz delivering a clutch quick attack and Sisi Rondina sealing the set with a powerful kill.
