Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 20) – The Choco Mucho Flying Titans kept defending PVL Open Conference champions Chery Tiggo Crossovers winless after a five-set thriller, 25-21, 16-25, 25-17, 17-25, 18-16, on Sunday at the Paco Arena.
Kat Tolentino, who delivered the crucial hits for Choco Mucho in the final stretch of the game, led the team in scoring with 23 points.
New recruits Aduke Ogunsanya and Cherry Rose Nunag added 10 points each to help the Flying Titans remain undefeated in two games and gain a share of the lead in Pool A.
Solid touches by Choco Mucho enabled the team to launch their attacks, allowing them to win the first and third sets.
Chery Tiggo, however, answered back with their relentless plays and rejuvenated interior defense to notch the second and fourth sets.
The deciding fifth set was a see-saw battle, but luck and talent were on the side of the Flying Titans down the line as Tolentino and Bea De Leon delivered the points in the final sequences for the victory.
Dindin Manabat’s big game of 29 points with 25 attacks went for naught in the loss for the Crossovers, who are suddenly on the brink of elimination with a winless tally after three games.
Only the top four squads in the five-team Pool A bracket will advance to the quarterfinals, where Choco Mucho share the top spot with Cignal HD Spikers with both sporting a 2-0 slate.
