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Choco Mucho lords over the net in a five-set conquest of gutsy Galeries Tower, while Akari wins its second straight after denying No. 1 pick Thea Gagate and conference debutant ZUS Coffee
MANILA, Philippines – The Choco Mucho Flying Titans bounced back from their first loss in the 2024-2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference with a five-set defensive masterclass over the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 27-29, 25-20, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Thursday, November 14.
In rising to a 1-1 record in the five-month tournament, the reigning conference silver medalists exploded for a staggering 22 blocks, 7 each from pioneer player Kat Tolentino and rookie blocker Lorraine Pecaña.
Tolentino, playing through deafness and balance issues, also led all scorers with 27 big points and 10 excellent digs, while former MVP Sisi Rondina scored 19 in the nip-and-tuck victory.
Coming off an eight-point burial in the fourth set that forced a deciding fifth frame, Choco Mucho rebounded well in the clutch, rising from a 2-0 deficit with four straight points to take a 4-2 advantage, before taking the technical timeout at 8-5 off a Pecaña block on Roselle Baliton.
Though Galeries got within a point, 11-10, after an Ysa Jimenez off-the-block score verified by a successful Highrisers challenge, Pecaña responded with a rejection on Jimenez in the next possession before Des Cheng scored a crucial ace for the comfy 13-10 cushion.
It was Choco Mucho’s match to take from there as Rondina scored two final booming hits to seal the cardiac finish.
Mars Alba steered the winning offense with 20 excellent sets, while Alas Pilipinas role player Cherry Nunag added to the formidable net defense with 14 points.
Jewel Encarnacion again led the losing cause with 18 points as Galeries slid to a 0-2 start, albeit both in close games. No. 3 pick Julia Coronel boosted her growing reputation as an attacking setter with 10 points after an 8-point debut, in addition to 11 excellent sets in the defeat.
Akari averts disaster, earns early lead in ZUS Coffee, Thea Gagate denial
Meanwhile, the Akari Chargers rolled to a 2-0 record for solo first in the new conference with a 25-14, 25-19, 21-25, 25-23 conquest of the debuting ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, now finally parading No. 1 overall pick and Alas Pilipinas starter Thea Gagate.
Ivy Lacsina led the winning charge with 24 points on 22 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace, while Eli Soyud followed up a 21-point conference debut with 15 in another strong outing.
Alas starter Fifi Sharma scored 7 with 3 blocks, gamely meeting former La Salle teammate Gagate at the net as she topscored for ZUS Coffee with 13 points on 11 attacks, 1 block, and 1 ace.
New acquisition Kate Santiago and Mich Gamit scored 12 apiece as Cloanne Mondoñedo tallied 15 excellent sets in the loss. – Rappler.com
