CHOCO Mucho asserted its dominance early in the 2023 VTV Cup campaign with a four-set rout over Japan's Kansai University, 25-17, 25-23, 19-25, 25-22, in Lao Cai, Vietnam on Saturday.
Choco Mucho scores opening day win in VTV Cup debut
Fresh off a top seven finish in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference, Sisi Rondina and the Flying Titans soared to a strong start in their first taste of international action as a club.
Cherry Nunag's efficient blocking exploits and Maddie Madayag's instant offense paved the way for the PVL side's victorious tournament opener.
The Flying Titans powered past the Japanese side in two commanding sets before an error-plagued third frame forced a late extension.
In the end, a steadier and more composed display saw the pro-laden nationals close out the young Japan spikers in four.
Rondina led four Flying Titans in double figures with 15 markers alongside Nunag (13 points), Madayag (11 points), and Caitlyn Viray (10 points).
Kansai skipper Tamura Hikaru paced their opening loss with a game-high 21-point production.
After ruling the first of at least five matches in as many days, Choco Mucho will face formidable opposition in ace spiker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy's Vietnam 1 side on Sunday, 8 p.m. local time.
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