By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Cherry Ann Rondina caught fire for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans-Philippines as they scored a 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-18 win over Kansai University of Japan in the battle-for-third place game of the 2023 VTV Cup at the Lao Cai Hall in Vietnam over the weekend.

The former University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses star finished with 24 points, while Madeleine Madayag backed her up with 16 markers for the bronze medalists Flying Titans.

Caitlyn Viray also hit double-digits on offense with 13 points and 10 attacks, while Cherry Nunag ended up with 11 markers and three blocks for the Dante Alinsunurin-mentored Choco Mucho.

The Flying Titans went to work in the opening set with Desiree Cheng dropping six points and Rondina, Nunag and Viray adding four each for a 25-20 win, but they stumbled in the second set, 23-25.

Choco Mucho managed to bounce back in the third set with Rondina and Madayag exploding for six points each for a 12-point set victory, capped by a service ace from Madayag.

Kansai University tried to keep in step with Choco Mucho early in the fourth, but Rondina anchored the Flying Titans’ separation with an eight-point contribution to seal their podium finish.

It was the Flying Titans’ second victory against Kansai University in the week-long competition after also defeating the Japanese-based team in the preliminary round, 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22.

The Philippine-based team failed to reach the championship round after suffering a heartbreaking 18-25, 25-18, 12-25, 25-22, 5-15 loss to Vietnam 2 in the semifinals last Friday, August 25.

“Magiging malaking impact sa team ‘yung exposure namin sa international,” Alinsunurin said.

“Alam namin malaki ang magiging balik sa player kapag naglaro sa international. Mas magiging kumpiyansa sila,” he said.

“Gusto naming i-angat ‘yung standing namin. From seventh place [in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference], gusto naming pumasok sa Final Four sa All-Filipino Conference,” he added./ASC, WDJ