Choco Mucho takes care of business despite the absence of Deanna Wong as it dismantles Nxled in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Even without setter Deanna Wong, Choco Mucho dispatched Nxled, 25-12, 25-22, 25-18, in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan on Thursday, Feb. 22.
Newcomer Mars Alba shouldered the playmaking duties, dishing out 18 excellent sets as the Flying Titans barely felt the absence of Wong, who sat out due to knee injury.
Sisi Rondina turned in an all-around performance, firing 17 points, with all but one coming from attacks, and chalking up 10 excellent digs to help Choco Mucho start their title-redemption bid on the right track.
Kat Tolentino contributed 12 markers while Cherry Nunag collected five blocks in her 10-point tally to backstop Rondina.
The Flying Titans outgunned the Chameleons, pummeling 45 attacks to their foes' 28. They were also the better team at the net, putting up four more blocks at eight, while also shining at the service line, six to none.
But the match was not as smooth sailing as it seemed, with Choco Mucho suffering a slight scare as Aduke Ogunsanya went down on a bad fall as her left knee buckled after a block attempt in the third set with the Flying Titans up, 21-17.
The middle blocker let out a scream as she lay on the court, but later stood up and walked on her own to the dugout.
The Flying Titans played with renewed vigor after the brief break in play and sealed the deal with a 4-1 run.
"Siyempre, ngayon, medyo malungkot kasi ngayon, hindi pa namin alam kung ano ang nangyari kay Aduke. Basta, ang importante sa amin ngayon, kailangan naming ayusin ang laro namin," Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.
All Nxled players were held to single-digit outputs, with Krich Macaslang producing the highest score for the Chameleons with seven points. Ivy Lacsina posted six markers in her debut for the team.
Choco Mucho looks to make it 2-0 when it collides with Petro Gazz, while Nxled aims to recover quickly when it faces PLDT on Tuesday, Feb. 27, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.