MANILA, Philippines – Sisi Rondina powered a decisive finish as Choco Mucho claimed its third straight win in the PVL All-Filipino Conference by way of a 21-25, 25-22, 25-18, 25-18 victory over PLDT at the PhilSports Arena on Thursday, January 23.
Rondina fired a team-high 20 points, delivering timely hits in a win-clinching 11-3 rally that allowed the Flying Titans to hike their record to 5-3.
Hoping to force a decider, the High Speed Hitters were still ahead 15-14 in the fourth set before Choco Mucho went on its run, with Rondina scattering 4 points over that stretch.
Rondina sealed the victory with a swift hit not even multiple time Best Libero awardee Kath Arado could receive.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat backed Rondina with 16 points as she dedicated her performance to teammate Kat Tolentino, who is out after suffering a ruptured appendix.
“My performance today was for Kat because she was one of my inspirations. She does not deserve what happened to her. She works really hard and she is really kind,” said Santiago-Manabat in Filipino.
Isa Molde and Cherry Nunag added 12 points each for the Flying Titans.
Savi Davison put PLDT on her back with 27 points, but she lacked support as none of her teammates scored in double figures.
The High Speed Hitters, in the process, fell to 4-3.
Earlier, Akari rebounded from its crushing loss at the hands of PLDT last January 18 as it nailed a 21-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-18 win over hapless Nxled.
Ivy Lacsina led a balanced scoring attack for the Charges with 17 points, while Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud chalked up 15 points each.
Camille Victoria chipped in 10 points as Akari improved to an even 4-4.
The loss kept the Chameleons winless in seven games as Chiara Permentilla saw her 20-point performance go down the drain. – Rappler.com