CHOCO Mucho marched into the Final Four by closing out PLDT, 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13, in Game Two of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The No. 5-seed Flying Titans booked their third semifinals trip in the last four conferences, highlighted by their first two finals appearances in their six-year franchise history.
Even as PLDT took the life out of Choco Mucho, leading by 17-6 at one point in the second set, Rondina & Co. swung back with early, unassailable lead in the third set.
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In similar fashion, Savi Davison scored every single PLDT point in a hot 5-1 PLDT start to the fifth set — only to be erased by a quick 6-0 Choco Mucho blitz powered by no other than Rondina.
Mars Alba hit an unlikely penultimate attack point in the fifth set before Rondina went for a signature kill to book their Final Four ticket.
The Choco Mucho setter posted 22 excellent sets and seven markers.
Rondina fired a dominant 21-point, 18-reception double-double to slam the door shut on a rubber match along with Royse Tubino (15 points, 13 digs) and Isa Molde (eight points, 15 digs).
"Sobrang proud ako sa team namin kasi lahat kayang mag-adjust. Kahit anong posisyon man 'yan, hangga't kayang mag-contribute, tatrabaho talaga. Tatrabahuhin ulit namin kasi nakadalawang five sets na kami," Rondina said.
"Unang-una, sa performance ng players ko, talagang hindi sila bumigay. Gusto talaga nilang makabalik sa semifinals. Sobrang thankful ako sa performance nila, pati sa mga coaches din kanina," added Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Following Petro Gazz’ shock Game One loss to ZUS Coffee on Tuesday after 10 straight victories, Choco Mucho now holds the league’s longest active win streak at nine.
And by winning yet another five-set contest, Choco Mucho extends its perfect run in five-setters to 6-0 this conference.
The first team through to the penultimate round also happens to be the only team that has yet to lose a PVL match in 2025.
Meanwhile, PLDT’s promising campaign has been cut short by a Choco Mucho team it failed to defeat in three meetings this conference.
Davison matched her career-high scoring output for the third time with another 34-point performance and 13 receptions.
For the fourth time in five conferences, the High Speed Hitters will again settle for fifth place just outside the semis places.
PLDT now shifts its to representing the Philippines along with Creamline and Petro Gazz in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League from Apr. 20 to 27.
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