Mars Alba did not crack under pressure and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans cash in by moving on to the semifinals of the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Choco Mucho setter Mars Alba has been putting in the work in practice, developing her attacking skills for when the time comes that she needs to step up and contribute beyond just playmaking in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The 5-foot-6 playmaker, who had been participating in the team’s spiking drills, was put to the test last Thursday as she took on a bigger offensive role late in Game 2 of the Flying Titans’ quarterfinals series against PLDT.
In one of the biggest surprises of the series, Deanna Wong entered during the latter part of the high-pressure fifth frame but subbed in for opposite hitter Royse Tubino instead of Alba, who even approached her, thinking she was the one being replaced.
Taking over at the wing for Tubino, Alba delivered a crucial cut shot off a perfectly timed set from Wong, evading two High Speed Hitters up top to break a 13-all deadlock and push Choco Mucho to match point.
Her heroics set the stage for Sisi Rondina to unleash the game-clinching blow, sending the Flying Titans back to the All-Filipino Conference semifinals for the third consecutive time.
"For me, yung iniisip ko nung time na yun, back-up lang talaga ako. Given na nasa harap talaga si ate, talagang pumorsiyento lang ako. Hindi ko lang in-expect, pero ready ako,” said Alba, who earned the starting gig after a stellar play off the bench in Game 1.
The former La Salle star finished with seven points along with 22 excellent sets in Choco Mucho’s hard-fought, 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 Game 2 victory over PLDT in front of 2,443 fans at the Philsports Arena.
“Hindi ko in-expect na binigay sa akin ni Ate Deanna yung bola, pero yun, sabi ko, angat lang—ako bahala. Magco-contribute ako kung anong puwede. ‘Di ko rin in-expect kasi akala ko kami ni Ate Deanna magpapalit kanina, tapos biglang sabi, 'Hindi, ikaw,’” she added.
For her standout performance, Alba claimed the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of March 18 to 22.
The 25-year-old playmaker out of San Mateo, Rizal bested fellow Flying Titan Sisi Rondina, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Bea De Leon of Creamline, Chai Troncoso of ZUS Coffee, and Eli Soyud of Akari for the weekly nod of the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.
“Siiguro may kumpiyansa lang given na ginagawa ko sa ensayo, kasi lately nakikisali na ako sa free spiking. Napractice naman, kaya kumpiyansa din ako na may connection kami ni Ate Deanna [Wong],” said Alba.
Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin praised Alba for staying ready, stepping up under pressure, and willingly doing whatever was needed to help the team get the win.
Alinsunurin also said that he never doubted the former UAAP Finals MVP’s ability as an attacker, having seen the hard work she puts in during practices.
“Pinag-uusapan talaga namin kung ano pa ‘yung dapat naming gawin. Hanggang sa nakita namin pwede palang pumalo si Mars (Alba), although tini-training naman niya ‘yan, talaga pumapalo (siya),” said the veteran coach.
“Sobrang crucial ng opensa niya na ‘yun kaya nakuha namin ‘yung game kasi gusto naming makabalik talaga sa semis.”
Choco Mucho, the runner-up of the past two All-Filipino Conferences, will kick off its semifinals round robin on Saturday next week at the Ynares Center Antipolo with defending champion Creamline and Akari.
Petro Gazz and ZUS Coffee fight for the last semis ticket in a do-or-die Game 3 on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.