Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 6) – The Choco Mucho Flying Titans kept their grip on the second spot after a four-set win against the Petro Gazz Angels, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, in the 2021 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Open Conference, Friday at the PCV Socio-Civic and Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte.
Maddie Madayag notched 14 points with six blocks while Ponggay Gaston also chipped in 14 points with 12 attacks to help Choco Mucho improve its record to 7-1.
Gaston showed her scoring leadership – firing off timely kills as the Flying Titans take the first set.
Petro Gazz bounced back in the second set with scoring efforts from Gretchel Soltones and Myla Pablo.
Choco Mucho tied the game at 23 after an outside hit by Ces Molina, but a Soltones ace and a backrow attack from Molina nailed the set for the Angels.
The third set was a close affair between the two squads as the Angels unleashed a 4-0 scoring run to tie the game at 16.
The Flying Titans responded with hits from Gaston, Kat Tolentino, and Regine Arocha to have a chance to end the game in the succeeding set.
In the fourth set, Petro Gazz zoomed to an early 8-5 lead, only to relinquish it after unforced errors, and solid offensive teamwork from Choco Mucho.
The Angels tried to steal the fourth set with an Ivy Perez hit, Jessey De Leon service ace, and Remy Palma hit to tie the game at 23.
But an outside serve by De Leon and a Bea de Leon block point sealed the victory for the Flying Titans.
Tolentino and Arocha finished with 13 markers apiece for Choco Mucho while de Leon added 10 points for an all-around effort by the Oliver Almadro-coached squad.
“We’re not gonna go down without a fight,” Gaston said in the post-game interview. The Flying Titans are also assured of a Final Four berth.
Soltones and Ria Meneses both scored 14 points for the Angels, who ended their season with a 6-3 record, and currently occupies the fourth spot in the team standings. Petro Gazz has also booked a spot in the semis.
