AS Finals debutants late last year, Choco Mucho was swept by a Creamline side rich in Premier Volleyball League championship experience.

Learning the lessons from the previous All-Filipino Conference title series debacle, the Flying Titans hope to finally pull the rug against the Cool Smashers when the best-of-three series begins at 6 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Choco Mucho finds itself as the slight favorite against the multi-titled Creamline, a scenario quite unlike last year when the Flying Titans were clear underdogs.

However, the narrative has shifted dramatically with Choco Mucho’s remarkable three-match sweep of the semifinal round, proving itself as top contenders even in the absence of three key players sidelined due to various reasons during the course of its campaign.

“Alam niyo naman na kulang kami, pero sa ngayon, masarap ang feeling namin kasi ‘yung pinagpaguran namin…nandito na kami sa Finals,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin, credited with crafting a championship-caliber system that has unified his players towards a common goal.

As the Finals commence, all eyes will naturally gravitate towards the explosive talents of the Flying Titans’ reigning MVP Sisi Rondina and the Cool Smashers’ Tots Carlos.

However, the performances of the supporting cast and the bench players will be equally crucial in the series.

PetroGazz and Chery Tiggo also start their own best-of-three series for bronze at 4 p.m.

For Alinsunurin, motivation isn’t a concern as Choco Mucho is driven by an insatiable hunger for championship glory, as the popular club is looking for a breakthrough since joining the league in 2019.

In his fourth conference with the once-suffering Flying Titans, Alinsunurin believes that the time is now.

“Siguro ang edge namin ay yung gutom talaga. Gutom talaga ang Choco Mucho na makarating sa finals o makakuha ng championship,” said Alinsunurin.

“Kasi ito na yung matagal ng hinihintay ng mga players at kami ring mga coaches na makuha yun.”

Coach Sherwin Meneses emphasizes the team’s focus on adapting to every situation as Creamline is vying for a record eighth championship.

“Same lang naman lagi ang ginagawa namin, yung situation talagang nilalabanan namin. Yung situation every point talaga, yun lang naman yung importante. So doon kami nagpe-prepare pa lagi, every day, kung anong sitwasyon yung mangyayari kasi hindi namin ma-predict kung ano yung mangyayari,” said Meneses.

The Cool Smashers stand ready to defend their crown against any challenger, underscoring their readiness to face whatever challenges the Finals may bring.

“Kami naman kahit sino yung kalaban, ready kami kasi more on situation yung training namin so titignan muna namin, aaralin kung sino yung makakalaban namin pero kahit sino naman okay lang,” said Meneses.

“Sana ma-improve pa namin sa Finals at ma-defend namin yung crown.”

Games today

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
4 p.m. – PetroGazz vs Chery Tiggo (3rd Place)
6 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs Creamline (Finals, Game 1)