THE deafening roars inside the Philsports Arena echoed across Pasig City as Sisi Rondina delivered the final, emphatic blow over two PLDT defenders, sealing Choco Mucho’s improbable 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 victory, inching the Flying Titans closer to securing a coveted spot in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals.
In a battle that could have easily passed for a championship classic, Choco Mucho pulled off an incredible comeback, clawing its way back from a 0-2 set deficit against a star-studded PLDT squad. Despite their own depleted roster – further hampered by the early exit of Dindin Manabat in the opening set – and an early 3-5 hole in the deciding frame, the Flying Titans refused to fold. They defied the odds, outlasted the High Speed Hitters’ relentless push, and endured a heart-stopping fifth-set duel that felt like it would never end.
Despite its meltdown, PLDT also fought valiantly, saving four match points, but the High Speed Hitters cracked under pressure when Dell Palomata unleashed an overpowered serve that gifted Choco Mucho another match point at 17-16.
In the climactic exchange that followed, Rondina, who had soared from the opening whistle to the final moment, put an exclamation mark on the epic rally – rising above two defenders for a thunderous spike that sealed Choco Mucho’s rise from the ashes and into the doorstep of the semis.
Amid the euphoric celebration, the impact of setter Mars Alba couldn’t be overlooked. Inserted by coach Dante Alinsunurin after Choco Mucho dropped the first two sets, Alba’s entry was no desperate gamble but a tactical masterstroke. Her steady playmaking ignited a surge – the Flying Titans dominated the third set and mounted a stunning fourth-set comeback, capped by a scorching finish.
The decisive fifth set saw PLDT regain its footing, fueled by Savi Davison’s resurgence. The High Speed Hitters raced to a 5-3 lead after a Royse Tubino attack sailed wide. But surrender wasn’t in Choco Mucho’s vocabulary. The Titans countered with a blistering 6-1 run, seizing a 9-6 advantage and holding firm. Alba then connected with Cherry Nunag on a quick play, extending their cushion to 13-10.
Still, PLDT refused to bow out. Davison fired back-to-back hits to erase two match points, forcing a nerve-wracking 14-all count. The tension soared as the teams traded haymakers – Tubino and Davison traded clutch hits, while Rondina powered through double-blocks with fearless strikes from the back row, which Fiola Ceballos countered with her own clutch off-the-block hit.
Then came Palomata’s costly miscue, followed by Rondina’s moment of brilliance – the final dagger in an electrifying two-hour, seven-minute war of power, poise and endurance.
The match duration mirrored Akari’s earlier exhilarating five-set triumph over Galeries Tower in their best-of-three quarterfinal showdown.
Rondina delivered another explosive performance, racking up 31 points while showcasing her all-around brilliance with 15 excellent digs and 12 receptions. Tubino also stepped up in crucial moments, finishing with 20 points, including several clutch hits, while Isa Molde chipped in 11 markers as Choco Mucho dominated PLDT in attacks, 65-55.
Davison spearheaded PLDT’s offense with 25 points but lost momentum in the third and fourth sets. Erika Santos contributed 14 markers but, like Davison, struggled in key stretches when the High Speed Hitters had a chance to close out the match in four sets. Fiola Ceballos and Majoy Baron added 11 and 10 points, respectively, as PLDT imposed its dominance at the net with a 13-6 edge in blocks.
Meanwhile, Alba orchestrated Choco Mucho’s offense masterfully, finishing with 16 excellent sets and three points. While counterpart Angge Alcantara tallied 21 excellent sets, Alba’s leadership and composure from the third set on proved pivotal in the end, sealing a hard-fought victory in this epic duel.
Alinsunurin’s tactical adjustments, particularly the insertion of Alba and Maika Ortiz in the third set, proved to be game-changers. He outmaneuvered counterpart Rald Ricafort in what felt like a strategic chess match that nearly reached a stalemate.
“In the first two sets, I was told to be ready, so I just observed from the bench,” said Alba in Filipino, who took over from Deanna Wong and orchestrated Choco Mucho’s revival.
“Just success from set to set,” she added after earning Best Player of the Game honors.
As Game 2 approaches on Thursday, Alba vowed, “We will work hard for this until we reach the semifinals.”
Expect PLDT to throw everything into the rematch, determined to adjust and push for a sudden death. But with momentum and an indomitable spirit on their side, Choco Mucho is poised to complete its rise from the brink of elimination to the semis.
