CHOCO Mucho seized the solo lead in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Semifinals following a straight-set rout of Chery Tiggo, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23, on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.
Royse Tubino fired 17 points on 15 attacks and two blocks to go two games unbeaten ahead of Sunday’s semis finale.
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A win for the Flying Titans over Petro Gazz on Sunday will hand them an outright Finals berth while a loss will send them in at least a tie for the top spot by the end of the semis.
The winless Crossovers, meanwhile, face a must-win semis-ending battle with defending champion Creamline to keep its title hopes alive.
"Pare-parehas na kaming pagod, so pinush talaga namin 'yung sarili namin kasi nandun na kami. Kailangan naming ibigay 'yung best kaysa makuha pa nila 'yung isang set so mas lalo kaming mapapagod so kailangan naming i-push pa," said Tubino.
"Importante talaga 'yung bawat game namin kaya sinabi ko sa players ko na kailangang all-out lagi and sobrang thankful sa naging performance namin kahit medyo nag-off 'yung ginagawa namin (like) sa transition namin pero may kasama na ring swerte," added Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
"Mas maraming naging unforced error 'yung Chery Tiggo kaya mas na-mamaximize namin pagdating sa dulo," he added.
Reigning league MVP Sisi Rondina led the Flying Titans' winning exploits on both ends with a triple-double of 18 points, 14 digs and 11 receptions. Ace libero Thang Ponce controlled Choco Mucho's floor defense with 25 digs and 11 receptions.
On the opposite end, however, the Crossovers were plagued by a troubled offense with only Cza Carandang (10 markers) reaching double figures. The still-winless side also didn't register any service aces in the loss.
Both teams face contrasting fates entering the final day of semis action as Choco Mucho is a win away from an outright Finals spot while Chery Tiggo sits on the brink of elimination.
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