CHOCO Mucho saved its best for last and finished a rather shaky year strong.
Sisi Rondina’s triple-double steered the Flying Titans over the line in a 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12 comeback over Farm Fresh in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the Philsports Arena.
The former league MVP dropped 26 points, 13 digs and 13 receptions to match a steady 19-piece from Choco Mucho mainstay Kat Tolentino.
Orchestrating the late fightback by design was Mars Alba with 25 excellent sets.
Farm Fresh’s leading scorer Trisha Tubu was one point shy of matching her career-high, which she also set earlier this year also against Choco Mucho, with 31 points on 28 attacks, two blocks and one ace.
Alyssa Bertolano also had a triple-double of her own with 10 points, 12 digs and 19 receptions that went for naught.
Fine finish to a fierce year
From the highs of back-to-back finals appearances, Choco Mucho was sent crashing with a franchise-worst ninth place finish behind losing key personnel led by one of its pioneers in Maddie Madayag.
Difficuult to say the least, but head coach Dante Alinsunurin isn’t looking too far ahead and wants to savor a year-ending victory as strong and resilient as can be.
“Sabi nga ng mga players ko, tatapusin namin ngayong taon na maganda para pagdating ng January, masarap ulit mag-ensayo at maglaro,” said Alinsunurin.
“in terms of skills naman, kahit papano umaangat kahit hindi mataas ‘yung efficiency. Siyempre ‘yung as a team, as a whole, pabago-bago talaga kami ng players sa loob ng court kaya kailangan talaga ‘yung jelling ng team.
“Minsan kasi, ang team ‘pag wala talagang isang gustong mangyari, nagiging sabog-sabog kaya kailangan talaga namin magusap usap pa para kapag may mga problema kami, maaayos agad.”
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