Despite a painful Game 1 collapse, Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin remains hopeful that the Flying Titans can still claim bronze in the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference by bouncing back in Game 2.
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans suffered another heartbreaking collapse during Game 1 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference battle for third.
The Flying Titans squandered a commanding two-set lead and bowed to Akari in five sets on Tuesday, April 8 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
It was a gut-punch loss that echoed their previous semifinal defeat against the same team—another match that slipped away in the fifth set. Still, head coach Dante Alinsunurin is choosing to stay grounded and optimistic about the Flying Titans' hopes for a podium.
“May chance pa naman,” Alinsunurin told One Sports. “Ang importante, makalaro kami ng maayos sa Thursday. Kung kaya, tapusin namin nang mas mabilis para makuha ‘yung bronze.”
Choco Mucho can still secure the bronze if they defeat Akari in Game 2 in three or four sets—provided that Petro Gazz also clinches the title on Thursday against Creamline.
Alinsunurin admitted that their string of playoff losses—including back-to-back close calls in the semifinals and now this bronze medal opener—have taken a toll on the team’s morale.
But rather than dwell on what went wrong, Alinsunurin wants his players to focus on what they can still accomplish.
“Importante lang is makita nila, maramdaman nila 'yung sitwasyon na minsan kailangan nilang lumaban sa sarili nila and sa team namin kung paano kami makabalik,” the multi-titled coach said.
After a resurgent campaign that saw the Flying Titans rack up a league-best 10-game winning streak during the preliminaries, Choco Mucho’s momentum was abruptly halted by a wave of injuries. They lost key veterans Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Maika Ortiz just before the semis.
[ALSO READ: Why is Dindin Santiago-Manabat smiling more with Choco Mucho?]
Despite being short-handed, Alinsunurin is urging his players to stay locked in and fight for what’s still within reach.
“Hindi namin ine-expect na ganun 'yung magiging sitwasyon. Basta sakin lang, importante lang, kung sinoman 'yung naiwan, talagang importante ay ilaban lang talaga,” Alinsunurin concluded.
Game 2 of the bronze medal series between Choco Mucho and Akari is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 at 4:00 p.m., still at the Big Dome.