Choco Mucho hardly showed the effects of its recent five-set loss to PLDT that halted its four-game run, trampling Akari, 25-17, 25-22, 25-21, to force another three-way tie for the lead in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Saturday night.
With the exception of a close second set where the Flying Titans trailed for most of the way, the Rebisco franchise displayed their superiority over Akari, outclassing the Chargers in the first and third sets on their way to posting their fifth victory in six games.
That resulted in another crowded leaderboard as Choco Mucho joined Creamline and PLDT at the top heading to the second phase of the single round prelims of the season-opening conference of the league organized by Sports Vision.
Cignal totes a 4-1 slate for fourth while Petro Gazz and Chery Tiggo are tied at fifth with 4-2 cards. Akari slipped to 2-4 in a tie with Farm Fresh and Galeries Tower.
Sisi Rondina spearheaded another Choco Mucho assault, finishing with 3points while Royse Tubino and Maddie Madayag matched 11-point outputs and Isa Molde and Chery Nunag combined for 13 points to more than make up for the absence of Kat Tolentino.
In the pivotal second set, a fair play moment by Ced Domingo and an attack error by Grethcel Soltones allowed the Flying Titans to break the 22-all count, ultimately winning the frame after a fault by Dindin Manabat.
Despite Akari’s valiant effort, highlighted by notable plays from Fifi Sharma, Soltones, Domingo and Manabat, they faltered in the stretch, missing out on chances to equalize.
Choco Mucho cashed in on that end-stretch roll, winning 10 of the first 12 points in the third and staying in control until the Chargers mounted a last-ditch comeback to threaten at 17-20 on a 4-0 binge.
But Rondina, who also finished with 17 excellent digs and eight receptions, came out of a huddle in fierce form, defying three defenders to give Choco Mucho a four-point lead, which the Flying Titans hiked in the next play on an Akari rotation error.
Royse Tubino then stepped up in the clutch, scoring Choco Mucho’s last two points, including a well-placed cross-court hit and an off-the-block shot that came after Faith Nisperos saved one match point for Akari.
Nisperos wound up with 12 points, 12 excellent receptions and 10 digs, while Manabat and Soltones added nine and seven points, respectively, and Sharma and Janine Marciano finished with five points apiece in the one-hour, 34-minute match.
Akari actually edged Choco Mucho in attacks, 38-37, but the Flying Titans pounced on their rivals’ miscues, earning 27 points, while conceding 15 unforced errors.