They sealed a much-awaited return to the semifinals.
Maddie Madayag turned emotional in the aftermath of the Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ hard-fought 25-20, 23-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-12 victory over the PLDT High Speed Hitters in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference on Thursday.
Madayag later explained that she couldn’t help but feel that way, as the Flying Titans sealed their return to the semifinals for the first time since the 2022 PVL Open Conference.
“After ng win, dun lang nag-sink in na pumasok kami sa semis,” said Madayag in the postgame press conference.
The game where she suffered her second ACL injury in 2021 also came to mind.
“Last time na nagkaroon kami ng chance (makapasok sa semifinals) was in Bacarra (in Ilocos Norte), and ‘yung game na ‘yun, dun ako na-ACL,” she added, teary-eyed.
With the win over PLDT, the Flying Titans improved to an 8-1 win-loss record for solo second in the standings. They haven't lost since their opening assignment.
Thang Ponce, who had 23 digs and 11 excellent receptions, shared the same elation of Madayag, as they became the second team to secure a spot in the playoffs after the undefeated Creamline Cool Smashers.
“Sobrang saya namin. Nagbunga na trinabaho namin,” Ponce said. “Mas magtatrabaho pa kami.”
Choco Mucho still has two games left in its schedule, with the match against the Gerflor Defenders coming up on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
(PM)