The Choco Mucho Flying Titans look to continue their winning momentum when they face the Chery Tiggo Crossovers once more in the qualifying round of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Choco Mucho has been on a roll in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
The Flying Titans ended the elimination round with six consecutive victories, five of which they won this year.
Their latest victim was Chery Tiggo, which they subdued in a hard-fought sweep, 25-18, 25-23, 26-24, at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo City Saturday, Feb. 22.
Choco Mucho thus improved to an 8-3 record to secure the No. 5 seed in the qualifying round.
[RELATED STORY: Choco Mucho sweeps Chery Tiggo, ends PVL All-Filipino prelims with 6 straight wins]
Heading into the match against the Crossovers, Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin reminded his charges to never let up as they strive to sustain their momentum.
“Sabi ko nga sa players ko, kahit anong mangyari rito, kailangan nating makuha itong game na ito kasi malaking tulong ito sa atin para doon sa next round natin,” Alinsunurin said during the post-game interview.
“Nag-respond naman sila noong first set. Then [second to third sets], talagang medyo parang nag-relax kami. Pero bandang huli naman, nakuha pa rin namin ‘yung game.”
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Choco Mucho wasted two match points before finally sealing the victory behind back-to-back kills by Sisi Rondina and Dindin Santiago-Manabat.
Rondina led the way for the Flying Titans, firing 20 points built on 18 attacks and two blocks. Isa Molde backed up Rondina with her second-best 15 points on 13 attacks, one block and one ace she topped with 15 excellent digs. Manabat scored eight.
Choco Mucho is set to lock horns with Chery Tiggo anew in the qualifying round on Saturday, March 1 at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Alinsunurin acknowledged that his squad still has areas to improve on as they aim to repeat over the Crossovers.
“Sobrang laking tulong sa amin kasi para ma-boost ang kumpiyansa namin na kaya naming gawin ulit ito 'pag nakalaban namin sila. Pero siyempre, kailangan pa namin trabahuin kung ano ‘yung naging problema namin para masigurado namin na makuha namin ‘yung laro," said Alinsunurin.
It is all about maintaining Choco Mucho's upward trajectory.
“Much better sa performance namin, siyempre,” said Alinsunurin.
“Sabi ko nga, day-to-day or every game, every practice, dapat nag-i-improve kami. Hindi kami titigil hangga’t hindi kami nag-iimprove nang nag-i-improve.”