The Choco Mucho Flying Titans cloned the wins of Chery Tiggo, Petro Gazz and PLDT, and likewise swept their foes, the Nxled Chameleons, in straight sets to open their 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season.
The previous conference’s runners-up bucked their slow start in Set 2 en route to a 25-12, 25-22, 25-18 victory in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan on Thursday, February 22.
Reigning PVL MVP Sisi Rondina starred in the match after tallying 17 points on 16 attacks and an ace, while Kat Tolentino completed the supporting cast with a 12-point showing.
“Sa ngayon, syempre thankful ako sa naging performance namin. First set pa lang kami na ‘yung nag-dictate ng tempo hanggang dun sa dulo, although may mga time na nakakadikit sila. Buti pinipilit pa rin namin maka-perform nang maayos,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said in the postgame conference.
He wasn’t wrong, as the Flying Titans tried hard to keep the lead on their side throughout the match.
Nxled came close in Set 2, 20-21, but Chiara May Permentilla committed a crucial service error, and Ivy Lacsina failed to score off the blockers, which allowed Choco Mucho to surge once more.
And then it was Tolentino who found the hole in the defense and delivered in the second canto for the Flying Titans.
Decorated setter Deanna Wong sat out their affair against Nxled, but Mars Alba lived to her billing as she stepped into Wong’s position and gave Choco Mucho a game-high 18 excellent sets.
Asked whether there was pressure to fill in Wong’s shoes, Alba answered in affirmation.
“Syempre po, merong [pressure] pero ginamit ko na lang ‘yun as a challenge kasi syempre, hindi naman mahirap ‘yung ifi-fill in ko na position given na last conference, silver medalist sila. Thankful din ako kay Deanna [Wong] kasi gina-guide niya ako throughout this game,” Alba said.
Alba, who debuted for the Flying Titans on Thursday, admitted that there is still work that needs to be done.
“Marami pang kailangang i-adjust kasi given na bago lang ako sa team, nangangapa pa ako sa sistema nila coach [Dante], pero getting there,” the former UAAP Finals MVP said.
Rondina was happy to connect with Alba inside the PVL taraflex.
“Masaya, kasi unang-una sa lahat nag-connect din kami ni Mars, and syempre ‘yung gustong makita ni coach ‘yung sistema niya, and ‘yun po, trinabaho lang namin kung ano ‘yung dapat naming trabahuin,” the power hitter said. (ABS-CBN News)