They just needed a bit of attitude adjustment.
After getting stunned in their semifinals opener in the PVL Second All-Filipino Conference, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans could’ve folded and let the Cignal HD Spikers continue their upset bid. Instead, the top two seed chose to bounce back and show why they finished the preliminary round with an impressive 10-1 slate.
After crushing Cignal on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena to reestablish their authority, Kat Tolentino, who scored 15 points in Choco Mucho’s win, bared her team’s mental approach coming into Game 2. According to the former Ateneo Blue Eagle, it will be a key factor as well in the rubber match.
“For me, we have to humble ourselves again. We have to start from the beginning. We’ll celebrate (this win) but we have to prepare again,” the 6-foot-2 spiker said in the postgame presser.
While acknowledging that the HD Spikers will indeed pose a huge threat in their next encounter, Tolentino also mentioned what the Flying Titans can no longer afford to do.
“Of course, Cignal is going to come out with even more fire. I think the team that’s complacent will always be at a disadvantage. I think that’s what happened (to us) in the last game,” Tolentino revealed.
For the decider, the talented opposite spiker now knows exactly what Choco Mucho must bring to be able to get the victory.
“We have to keep that fire alive and just continue to be humble with our skills, and go back to coach Dante Alinsunurin’s system,” Tolentino stressed.
Game 3 between the Flying Titans and the HD Spikers will go down this Tuesday, 6:00 p.m. in the same venue.
The winner of that match will face the Creamline Cool Smashers in the finale.
(With reports from Jamie Velasco, One Sports Digital)
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