Choco Mucho drags Cignal to Game 3

MANILA, Philippines — The dream Premier Volleyball League finals between sister teams Creamline and Choco Mucho – the most popular clubs in the land today – is still on.

Unleashing their full, spectacular might, the Flying Titans smashed the Cignal HD Spikers, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22, yesterday to force a deciding Game 3, keeping alive the most sought after title showdown with Creamline, which later on nailed the first finals slot in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena.

Sisi Rondina dished out an MVP effort and uncorked 23 points including 20 thunderous kills as Choco Mucho knotted the series at one apiece and arranged a rubber match Tuesday at the same venue.

Unlike in the heartbreaking, series-opening 18-25, 23-25, 25-14, 25-19, 15-10 defeat to Cignal Thursday, Choco Mucho didn’t leave anything to chance on this one and fought for every point it could ensnare.

The Cool Smashers advanced to the best-of-three finals with a 26-24, 25-21, 25-21 victory and a sweep of the Chery Tiggo Crossovers. Creamline booked its 10th finals appearance and a shot at a seventh PVL crown.

With Rondina at the helm, the Flying Titans fought hard from start to finish.

“Hanggat nasa taas bola, hindi pa tapos, wala pa puntos. Hanggat kaya ko ipuntos, ipupuntos ko talaga,” said Roninda, a serious contender to claim this conference’s most coveted individual award – the MVP.

Rondina also said they came into Game 2 with the mentality of someone going into war.

“Gera, ito dapat mindset, para pumunta kami sa gera, dapat nasa isip namin manalo, nakuha ko ‘yan kay coach Kungfu,” said Rondina referring to his former Santo Tomas coach and now Chery Tiggo assistant mentor Kungfu Reyes.

Choco Mucho is seeking its first trip to the finals and a historic podium finish.

Creamline was playing Chery Tiggo as of presstime, needing one more win to get to the finals, another best-of-three affair that unfurls Thursday at the MOA Arena.