CHOCO Mucho picked the perfect time to beat Creamline for the first time as the Flying Titans pulled off a come-from behind 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 victory over the Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals last night before 6,407 fans at the Philsports Arena.

The victory ended Choco Mucho’s 12-match losing streak against Creamline dating back from the 2019 season.

“Sobrang thankful at nakuha namin ang panalo,” said Flying Titans coach Dante Alinsunurin.

Despite the five-set loss, the back-to-back title-seeking Cool Smashers still has hope, granting they win their last two matches in three-four sets to collect seven points and gain headway in the tiebreaker at the end of the semifinals.

Choco Mucho, which lost to Creamline in last year’s All-Filipino Conference Finals, lost to the defending champions late in the preliminaries last April 18.

The Flying Titans were down by two sets against a Tots Carlos-less Cool Smashers and looked like goners until the Flying Titans rallied with Sisi Rondina, Royse Tubino, Maddie Madayag and setter Mars Alba led the fightback.

“Tiwala, puso,” said Rondina. “Credits talaga sa pinasok ni coach (Alinsunurin) na nag-step up talaga.”

Rondina logged 23 points, including a block and a service ace, and 14 receptions, Tubino, a key Choco Mucho off-season signee, contributed 20 points and 12 digs while Isa Molde added 12 points, including four blocks.

Madayag had seven blocks to finish with eight points, while Alba, who entered as a second set substitute, tossed in 10 excellent sets and fired a service ace.

Jema Galanza led Creamline with 23 points, including three service aces, 13 digs and 18 receptions, while Alyssa Valdez chipped in 21 points on 20-of-48 kills.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Theodore P. Jurado