By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans clawed back from a set down to defeat the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 25-20, 23-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-13, in the 2023 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday night, November 23.
Libero Thang Ponce displayed her defensive prowess as she tallied 23 excellent digs to be hailed Player of the Game for the Flying Titans, which notched its eighth consecutive win.
“Nilakasan lang namin ‘yung loob namin [nung down kami by one set],” Ponce said in a post-game interview.
“Ni-remind kami ni coach [Dante Alinsunurin] na nasa amin ang problema, kaya ginawa talaga namin ang lahat para maipanalo ito,” she added.
With an 8-1 win-loss slate, the Flying Titans, along with their sister team Creamline Cool Smashers (8-0), have secured their semifinals seat after reaching the target of eight victories.
“Ito, nagbunga na ‘yung mga trinabaho namin sa training at mas magtatrabaho pa kami lalo ngayong pasok na kami sa semis after almost one year,” Ponce, a former standout of the Adamson University Lady Falcons, said.
The High Speed Hitters dropped their third straight game as they fell to 5-4 in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Creamline Cool Smashers joined their sister team Flying Titans in the semifinals round following their 25-23, 25-16, 25-21 beating of the Nxled Chameleons to record their eighth win in as many matches.
Jessica Galanza led the offense with 14 points on nine attacks, four service aces and one block, along with nine excellent receptions and eight excellent digs, while Michele Gumabao and Diana Carlos chipped in 12 points each for Creamline.
The Cool Smashers had to fend off a gritty Chameleons squad in the first set, where they trailed by as much as five points, and in the third set, where they went on a 5-0 finishing run to erase a 21-20 deficit.
On the other hand, the Akari Power Chargers kept their semifinals hopes alive after a 25-14, 25-21 and 25-19 sweep over the Galeries Tower Highrisers. They improved to a 5-4 win-loss slate./ASC, WDJ