By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Choco Mucho overpowered Galeries Tower, 25-13, 25-19, 25-17, and forged a three-way tie for the lead in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Tuesday, April 2.
The Flying Titans got a big lift from Sisi Rondina and Cherry Nunag, who fired 16 and 12 points, respectively in helping improve their win-loss tally to 6-1 and tie with the Creamline Cool Smashers and the PLDT High Speed Hitters at the helm.
It was the second straight win for Choco Mucho after absorbing a stinging five-set defeat to PLDT two weeks back.
Rondina and Nunag conspired for 20 of the team’s 42 kills while also waxing hot at the service line with a combined five aces.
They took advantage of the Highrisers weak net defense, where Galeries Tower only tallied a single block from France Ronquillo out of 33 attempts.
The loss was Galeries Tower’s fifth in seven outings, tying them with Akari.
Meantime, PLDT drew strength from the veteran tandem of Kim Fajardo and Majoy Baron as it trounced Akari, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19.
The dynamic duo spearheaded the assault with a variety of offensive plays to steer the High Speed Hitters to their sixth victory in seven games.
Fajardo flashed her vintage form by posting 14 excellent sets on top of eight points, while Baron showcased an all-around performance of 13 points highlighted by three aces and two blocks.
Baron credited the week-long respite for it rejuvenated the team, thus extending
their winning streak to four games.
Savi Davison also continued to shine for PLDT with 11 points highlighted by 10 kills, even as Erika Santos drained eight of her nine points on attacks.
The High Speed Hitters exploited the Chargers’ weak defense in the opening set by unloading 14 hits and kept their momentum going into the next two frames despite the persistent attempts of Akari.
Akari absorbed its second consecutive loss to slip at 2-5 near the bottom standings with no player scoring in double figures.
Dindin Manabat came off the bench in the first set but only managed nine points, while Grethcel Soltones and Erika Raagas were limited to eight points apiece.
