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Choco Mucho –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

It took a while but Choco Mucho finally notched an elusive first victory over its sister team Creamline. And it came at a very crucial time.

The Flying Titans clinched a head start in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals by coming from behind to thwart the Cool Smashers, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 in front of 6,407 rowdy fans that flocked PhilSports Arena even on a Tuesday night.

“Finally, that’s all I can say,” said team captain Maddie Madayag, who has been with Choco Mucho since the start of the franchise. “We have been preparing for the Cool Smashers for how many conferences already but we always fall short. [F]inally, we prepared so much [and] even though we had a bad first two sets, at least we got back.”

“I can’t explain the feeling because it’s our first time to win against Creamline,” coach Dante Alinsunurin said in Filipino after Choco Mucho’s first victory over the defending champions in 13 matches.

“We were really in a tough situation earlier but my coaches thought hard on what we can do inside the court, what adjustments we can do and I am so thankful that we got the win,” he added as Choco Mucho took the lead in the single round semifinals.

Chery Tiggo and Petro Gazz are battling for a share of that lead at press time.

Choco Mucho was still missing Kat Tolentino but there was no shortage of firepower among the Flying Titans who still had Sisi Rondina at the forefront. Rondina, battling cramps, delivered 23 points from 21 attacks, a block and an ace while also logging 14 excellent receptions.

Royse Tubino continued to fill in the gap left by Tolentino splendidly as she held Rondina’s hands with 20 points, 18 coming from attacks. The versatile hitter, who also had 12 excellent digs, was part of a key adjustment made by the Flying Titans in the third set, where she was moved to the outside hitter’s position.

Timely adjustments

“I credit this win to coach Dante for his timely adjustments, he made me an open spiker in the third set, and to my teammates who had a lot of understanding and had a lot of patience that’s why we got the win,” Tubino said.

Isa Molde completed the three-headed battering ram of the Flying Titans as she contributed 12 points while Madayag had eight points, seven of which came from Choco Mucho’s 15 blocks.

Choco Mucho wasn’t the only one missing a key player as Tots Carlos was also absent for Creamline.

The three-time Most Valuable Player flew to try out for the Korean V-League, giving Choco Mucho a now-or-never moment that the Flying Titans capitalized on.

Still, Creamline proved it has the depth to survive Carlos’ absence, seizing the first two sets and even gaining match point in the fifth.

“Creamline is really hard to beat but with the help of my teammates and coaches, we became one to win,” Tubino said.

Choco Mucho still have two matches remaining to bolster its hopes of booking a return ticket to the Finals.

It was also a big night for setter Mars Alba, who Choco Mucho signed during the offseason from the disbanded F2 Logistics. The quick-thinking playmaker had also never experienced getting a win over the three-time defending All-Filipino Conference champion.

“I am really happy because even when I was in F2, I did not experience winning over Creamline,” said Alba, who despite playing off the bench orchestrated her crew’s offense with 10 excellent sets. INQ