FIVE-STAR TITANS
Mars Alba has effectively tossed those neat sets that Choco Mucho usually turns into giant kills.
But after Alba displayed her spiking prowess in their quarterfinal sweep of the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday evening, the Flying Titans don’t mind adding the energetic setter to their roster of attackers.
“I gained confidence since I’ve been practicing those spikes,’’ said Alba, whose smash that dropped on PLDT’s side of the floor proved to be the game-changer in a furious exchange by both squads in the deciding frame.
“I didn’t expect that coach would make me a spiker,” Alba added. “But whatever ball is given to me, I will find a way to help the team.”
Alba’s attack followed by Sisi Rondina’s crosscourt strike to the back row were the lethal blows in the Flying Titans’ thrilling 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 upset of the Speed Hitters en route to the semifinals of the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference.
“We talked about adjustments and saw that Mars is really capable of spiking. We will be needing her skill in situations that call for it,’’ said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.
That added dimension has helped Choco Mucho’s offense as the Flying Titans won a seventh straight five-setter, with this one after weathering Savi Davison’s 34-point masterpiece and capitalizing on the errors of the enemy in the end.
Seven points
“Kudos to our team and coaches. We started from the bottom, and now we’re here!” Alba exclaimed after winning another Best Player of the Game award.
Rondina had 18 attacks in her 21 points that went with 18 receptions and two aces, while Alba delivered 22 excellent sets along with seven points and a pair of aces.
Honey Royse Tubino was also instrumental, contributing 15 points built around 13 attacks. She also had 13 digs and two blocks while Isa Molde and Maika Ortiz added eight and seven points, respectively.
The Flying Titans got off to a flying start by quickly seizing the opening frame, but the High Speed Hitters responded vigorously in the next to set the tone for the marathon match.
This will be the third Final Four stint for the Flying Titans in the last four conferences, an impressive string that saw them make two title series—although losing both of them to Creamline.
Those two title series appearances were, incidentally, the only ones for the franchise.
The victory also gives Choco Mucho the longest active winning streak in the tournament at nine after Petro Gazz lost in straight sets to ZUS Coffee on Tuesday that snapped a 10-game winning streak.
“We were really eager to return to the semifinals. For now, we will wait for our next opponent and scout them,’’ said Alinsunurin.
