Choco Mucho adds to F2’s woes after handing them another defeat

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans got its first victory in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference after handing the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers its second defeat, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24.

Despite the four-set victory for coach Oliver Almadro and the Flying Titans, every set was a close encounter that could’ve gone either way but it was their will to win that gave them the advantage.

The Cargo Movers were close to forcing a fifth and deciding set after superstar hitter Kalei Mau helped them reach set point in the fourth after a strong spike score.

However, Choco Mucho’s clutch offensive stretch kicked off by four unanswered points stunned the Cargo Movers in the fourth set.

With Choco Mucho taking over the lead at 25-24, Isa Molde and newly-acquired veteran Maika Ortiz ended F2’s hopes of a fifth set after joining hands to block Lindsay Stalzer’s spike attempt.

Denden Lazaro-Revilla turned back the hands of time and displayed a vintage performance after holding Choco Mucho’s floor defense with 26 digs and 11 excellent receptions.

Revilla’s clutch digs that saved several F2 kills helped Choco Mucho re-establish their possessions that turned into points.

During the last three possessions that could’ve sealed the fourth set for the Cargo Movers, it was Revilla’s back-to-back successful digs that spearheaded Choco Mucho’s 4-0 counter-run.

“Every game will be a tough game for us. Sabi ko lang we have to want it more, keep the faith, and let’s work together. Nagdeliver naman itong mga small but terrible ko na mga player so it’s not about size, it’s about the heart,” said coach Almadro.

Import Odina Aliyeva led the Flying Titans in scoring and dropped 27 points and 29 excellent receptions.

Meanwhile, the struggling F2 squad is yet to clinch their first win of the tournament despite getting back their complete roster.

Stalzer top-scored for the Cargo Movers with 26 points while Mau contributed 15 markers and 10 excellent digs in the losing effort.