MANILA — Choco Mucho Flying Titans shattered years of frustration against sister team Creamline Cool Smashers, pulling off a dramatic 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13 victory in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The breakthrough triumph marked only Choco Mucho’s second victory in 21 encounters with the powerhouse Cool Smashers, ending a prolonged losing streak while strengthening the Flying Titans’ bid for a semifinal berth.
Choco Mucho improved to a 4-3 win-loss record to seize solo fourth place, while the 11-time champion Creamline slipped to 4-2 after suffering its second consecutive defeat following a four-set loss to PLDT.
Cherry Ann Rondina-Rosales spearheaded the Flying Titans’ breakthrough with 20 points, but it was the collective effort of Jewel Encarnacion, Caitlin Viray and Eya Laure that proved crucial in finally overcoming their longtime tormentors.
Encarnacion delivered 10 points, five excellent digs and nine excellent receptions, providing the defensive stability and offensive support Choco Mucho needed in the tightly contested encounter.
“Itong panalong ito, pinakita lang namin na kaya naming talunin sila. Teamwork lang talaga ang pinagana namin. Pag may isang down sa amin ay sasaluhin namin, iaangat namin,” an emotional Encarnacion said.
“Nagpapasalamat ako at nag-take ng risk sa akin ang mga coaches, pero hindi ko naman magagawa ito kung walang tiwala ang teammates ko. Iniangat nila ang confidence ko at sinalo nila ako kasi hindi naman ako perfect,” she added.
After dropping the opening set, Choco Mucho stormed back with a dominant second-set performance before surviving a tight third frame to move within a set of victory.
Creamline refused to surrender, taking the fourth set to force a deciding fifth frame, but the Flying Titans held their nerve to complete the long-awaited upset.
Viray contributed 11 points, while Laure and Jen Villegas added eight apiece as Choco Mucho edged Creamline in attacks, 66-63.
Both squads registered 11 blocks, but the Flying Titans enjoyed a 6-4 advantage in service aces and capitalized on 27 points from Creamline’s errors while conceding 21 of their own.
Jema Galanza led the Cool Smashers with 16 points, while Bernadette Pons contributed 14, Diana Carlos scored 13 and Jeanette Panaga finished with 10.
Beyond improving their semifinal prospects, the victory gave Choco Mucho a significant psychological boost against a rival that had dominated their previous encounters, signaling a potential shift in one of the PVL’s most lopsided rivalries./PN
