Choco Mucho’s resilience was on full display Saturday night, as they pulled off a breathtaking reverse sweep to stun the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles, 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-9, in a gripping Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference match at the Philsports Arena.
After losing the first two sets, the Flying Titans dug deep and delivered a comeback for the ages, propelled by the unstoppable force of Sisi Rondina, who finished with a stellar 25 points and nine excellent receptions. Dindin Manabat was right there with her, contributing 19 crucial points, including some clutch hits down the stretch to carry Choco Mucho to a 4-3 record and a solid fifth-place standing.
This victory, which stretched across two hours and seven minutes, was their second consecutive five-set win after a thrilling comeback against Farm Fresh in December.
Deena Wong was masterful at the helm, orchestrating the offense with 10 excellent sets and adding seven points to the tally. Her pinpoint 1-2 plays, including the one that sealed the deal by landing perfectly on the baseline, left the Thunderbelles reeling and unable to recover.
“It’s a great way to start the year with a win,” said Wong, praising her teammates’ teamwork. “Hopefully, we can keep this up.”
Rondina’s offensive firepower was matched by Isa Molde, who added 13 points and 11 digs, and Lorraine Pecana, who chipped in 11 points, including a vital quick attack in the decisive fifth set.
The Thunderbelles, led by Chai Troncoso’s 17 points and Gayle Pascual’s 15, looked poised to seal the win early on. They dominated the first two sets with strong offense and solid defense. Thea Gagate and Michelle Gamit also stepped up, scoring 14 and 13 points, respectively. But as the match wore on, ZUS Coffee faltered. They couldn’t keep up with the relentless pressure of Choco Mucho, who capitalized on the Thunderbelles’ mistakes and mounted their comeback.
Coach Dante Alinsunurin, reflecting on his team’s improvement, said, “Our defense and blocking improved in the third set, and we executed our plays as planned. Hopefully, we can sustain this level of play.”
Rondina, ever the competitor, echoed that sentiment: “We’re happy because the results of our training are showing in the game. There were moments when we thought we couldn’t get the ball, but we were surprised when we managed to raise it. We will continue this kind of play, but of course, we still need to work hard.”
Despite a promising start, ZUS Coffee was outscored 68-65 and faltered in the crucial moments. Choco Mucho capitalized on their shaky service reception, racking up five aces while limiting the Thunderbelles to just one.
It was a bitter loss for the Thunderbelles, who seemed to have Choco Mucho figured out early, only to fall short in the end against a team that had more fight, more resolve, and more composure when it mattered most.
