AFTER surviving a nerve-wracking five-setter over PLDT in the quarterfinals opener Saturday night, Choco Mucho is not lowering its guard.

The Flying Titans’ improbable 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 victory over the fourth-ranked High Speed Hitters pushed them closer to a third straight Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals appearance.

“We will work hard for this until we reach the semifinals,” said Mars Alba, who became Choco Mucho’s starting setter in the third set to finish with 16 excellent sets, three points, including two key attacks in the fifth set and nine digs.

The Flying Titans, who finished fifth in the preliminaries, pulled off an incredible comeback, clawing their way back from a 0-2 set deficit despite the early exit of Dindin Santiago-Manabat in the opening set – and an early 3-5 hole in the decider.

PLDT also fought valiantly, saving four match points, but it succumbed under pressure when Dell Palomata unleashed an overpowered serve that gifted Choco Mucho another match point at 17-16.

Sisi Rondina then put an exclamation mark on the epic rally – rising above two defenders for a thunderous spike that sealed the Flying Titans’ rise from the ashes and into the doorstep of the semis.

Definitely, Alba was the difference maker.

“In the first two sets, I was told to be ready, so I just observed from the bench,” said Alba, who took over from a struggling Deanna Wong and orchestrated Choco Mucho’s revival.

“Just success from set to set,” the former La Salle playmaker added.

Rondina delivered another explosive performance, racking up 31 points while showcasing her all-around brilliance with 15 digs and 12 receptions to lead the Flying Titans.

Royse Tubino also stepped up in crucial moments, finishing with 20 points, including several clutch hits, while Isa Molde chipped in 11 points for Choco Mucho.

Savi Davison spearheaded the High Speed Hitters offense with 25 points but lost momentum in the third and fourth sets. Erika Santos contributed 14 points but, like Davison, struggled in key stretches when the High Speed Hitters had a chance to close out the match in four sets.

PLDT hopes to turn things around in Game 2 on Thursday at the same Pasig venue and force a winner-take-all.

Akari won the quarters opener against Galeries Tower also in five sets on Saturday.

The other quarterfinal series – defending champion Creamline versus dangerous Chery Tiggo and No. 2 PetroGazz against last qualifier ZUS Coffee – kick off tomorrow.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado