Not relying on opponents' records anymore.
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans have settled for seventh place for four straight conferences. But this time, captain Bea de Leon and the ube girls are savoring the sweetness of returning to the semifinals of the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference.
The Flying Titans strengthened their hold on the number two spot after sweeping the Gerflor Defenders, 25-16, 25-17, 25-11, on Tuesday.
It's their eighth straight win, and BDL, who started for Choco Mucho and unleashed 13 points from six attacks, five blocks, and two aces, relished securing a top four spot.
"Ang tagal namin 'tong hinintay, sa totoo lang," she said after the match. "It's been four, almost five years na this has always been part of the goal."
De Leon also pointed out the stark difference between being at the top and chasing wins at the bottom.
"'Di na kami nagbibilang, umaasa sa ibang team na talo. 'Yung bilangan na ganun. We always depend on points, lalo 'pag naghahabol sa spot na pang-apat," De Leon observed.
"Ngayon, tinatanong na kami kung namimili ba kami ng kalaban," she added, chuckling with coach Dante Alinsunurin. "Ang saya to see and to be with the team through the ups and downs. Sobrang thankful lang na nandito na kami."
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The Flying Titans have been in the semifinals twice, both in the 2021 and 2022 Open Conference. But they failed to secure a podium finish in both instances.
They will have another shot this conference as they end the preliminaries on Saturday against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers in Iloilo.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)
(PM)