FIVE years later, the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) fan-favorite sister act is no longer a one-sided show.
Seven-time league champion Creamline has won all of its previous 12 PVL matchups with Choco Mucho for the last five years — four sweeps, six four-set wins and two five-setters.
But 13 couldn’t have been a luckier number for the Flying Titans upon solving the Creamline puzzle in a come-from-behind, five-set victory to begin the single-round robin semifinals with a much-needed first win.
READ: Choco Mucho beats Creamline for first time behind stunning fightback
Crushing as the loss might have been for Creamline hotshots Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza, who led the defending champions’ pursuit in the absence of Korea-bound ace spiker Tots Carlos, the star pair has nothing but pride and admiration for how their younger Flying Titan sisters are on the way up.
For the Cool Smashers skipper, it goes without question that a ‘tougher and stronger Choco Mucho’ has and will continue to send shockwaves in the league for conferences and seasons to come.
“More than the skills siguro, after that finals appearance last conference, we've seen and we've felt also in today's game most especially na grabe na rin 'yung heart nila and composure nila in the game. So I guess overall, (they've) been improving mentally, physically and as a team,” said Valdez.
“It's gonna be a tougher and stronger Choco Mucho for sure.”
Galanza gave her flowers to Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin, citing how his strategic player adjustments enable Choco Mucho to play at its peak as a team at any given time on the floor.
She also echoed Choco Mucho captain Maddie Madayag’s past remarks on the Flying Titans by pointing out how they’re no longer just ‘runovers.’
“Sobrang bilib ako kay Coach Dante (Alinsunurin) kung paano siya mag-adjust, paano niya ina-adjust ‘yung team niya sa isang game. Sobrang laking bagay din ng nangyari sa kanila last year na nakapasok sila ng Finals, sobrang nakakataas ng morale sa kanilang lahat.
Galanza added: “Sinabi na rin naman ni Maddie (Madayag) na hindi na sila basta-basta talaga, and totoo naman din talaga. Happy lang din ako kasi as sister team namin sila, at least parehas kaming umaangat and mas maganda ‘yung mga pinapakita naming laban.”
It is what it is
Being the champion side that they are, Creamline took its late five-set meltdown to the chin and vowed to pounce harder in its penultimate semis assignment versus longtime rival and prelims tormentor Petro Gazz.
For Valdez and Galanza, the breaks of a heated battle with Choco Mucho just didn't go their way. But with that said, there's no time whatsoever for the Cool Smashers to dwell on what could be a costly defeat to their title retention bid and, instead, focus on the fundamentals which they had a hard time with against their sister team.
"I think that's the break of the game din talaga. We can't end the game with just two sets and 'yun 'yung isa sa mga biggest lessons namin today. We know naman Choco Mucho won't go down without a fight as well," said Valdez.
"Ganda nu'ng laban. It was really a good fight, entertaining fight actually. In the end, kinapos kami. Dami rin naming lapses, most especially the basic ones. I think that's what we're focusing on in practice tomorrow."
"‘Yung pagkatalo namin, hindi namin dapat damdamin. Walang oras para damdamin lahat. Hindi kami rin dapat malungkot pa sa mga nangyari kanina sa game. ‘Yun nga, isang araw lang ‘yung preparation kaya ang importante, makapagpahinga nang maayos, makakatulog, makakakain nang mabuti dahil bukas, sasabak ulit kami sa training," Galanza added.
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