Choco Mucho ends Creamline hoodoo, snaps two-game skid in PVL Siklab thriller

November 13 ------ Choco Mucho finally got the better of its longtime tormentor Creamline, claiming a five-set victory, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13, to strengthen its semifinals bid in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Entering the match on a six-game losing streak against the Cool Smashers, the Flying Titans finally snapped their slump, claiming just their second victory over the league’s winningest franchise in 21 meetings dating back to 2019. Choco Mucho last defeated Creamline on April 30, 2024, when the Flying Titans pulled off a thrilling 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 comeback in the All-Filipino Conference semifinals.

Sisi Rondina paced the Flying Titans with 20 points on 18 attacks, one block, and one ace, while adding 11 excellent digs as the team bounced back from back-to-back losses to Nxled and Akari. Eya Laure, meanwhile, returned in the fifth set after sitting out the previous three frames due to a slight back injury. She delivered eight points, including crucial hits down the stretch, as Choco Mucho improved to a 4-3 record and climbed to fourth place in the standings. “Siguro, una, happy kami sa naging resulta ng game, lalong-lalo na sa mga nag-step up talaga, sa mga middle namin na pinasok ko nung second set hanggang third set. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi ko sa players ko, kung sino man ‘yung may pagkukulang, kailangang punan. Kung sino man ‘yung kailangang tulungan, tulungan,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Kaya siguro total team effort talaga ‘yung ginawa ng team, lalo nung fifth set. Hindi sila bumitaw kahit nalamangan kami ng tatlo o dalawa. Sabi ko rin, hindi tayo mananalo ng isang tao, dalawang tao. Importante, team effort talaga sa lahat ng ginagawa. Kaya sobrang thankful kami sa result na panalo ngayon,” he added.

Choco Mucho squandered an opportunity to close out the match in four sets, allowing Creamline to fight back and force a decider. The Flying Titans also appeared headed for another setback in the fifth set after the Cool Smashers took an 11-9 lead on a Jeanette Panaga block against Caitlin Viray and a Tots Carlos attack. However, Choco Mucho refused to let the match slip away, leaning on a spirited team effort as Viray, Laure, and Lorene Toring connived in a decisive 5-0 run to turn the tables and put the Flying Titans on the brink of victory with three match points at 14-11.

Carlos briefly halted Choco Mucho’s momentum with an off-the-block attack before Bernadeth Pons denied Viray with a block to save two match points and pull Creamline within one. But Viray quickly made up for the miscue, drilling a down-the-line winner to seal the victory after two hours and 19 minutes of play. Viray and Jewel Encarnacion, who stepped up in Laure’s absence, provided additional firepower with 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Jen Villegas chipped in eight markers to help spread Choco Mucho’s offensive load.

Deanna Wong, meanwhile, came off the bench to orchestrate the Flying Titans’ attack with 15 excellent sets. Choco Mucho now faces another formidable challenge against PLDT on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, hoping to carry the momentum from its breakthrough victory into its next assignment.

On the other side, Creamline suffered another setback following its four-set loss to the High Speed Hitters, absorbing its second consecutive defeat in the Siklab series as its bid to secure an early semifinals berth took another hit. Jema Galanza finished with a triple-double of 16 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs to lead the Cool Smashers, while Pons tallied a double-double of 14 points and 11 excellent digs.

Jia De Guzman steered Creamline’s offense with 22 excellent sets, while Carlos added 13 points. Middle blockers Panaga and Bea De Leon also provided support with 10 and nine markers, respectively. Creamline will look to snap its two-game skid against Nxled on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Source: tiebreakertimes.com.ph