Laure powers Choco Mucho to reverse sweep

Games Tuesday
(Araneta Coliseum)
1 p.m. – Farm Fresh vs. Galeries Tower
6 p.m. – Nxled vs. PLDT

CEBU CITY — Choco Mucho showed its resilience by rallying from two sets down to stun Capital1, 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8, in a thrilling reverse sweep on the opening day of the Premier Volleyball League’s milestone 10th season Saturday at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena.

The Flying Titans overcame a sluggish start and turned what appeared to be a comfortable victory for the Solar Spikers into a dramatic comeback before a packed Cebu crowd.

Eya Laure spearheaded the turnaround, delivering crucial points in the fourth set and the decider.

Sisi Rondina-Rosales also provided timely attacks and defensive plays as Choco Mucho seized control of a match that had appeared beyond its reach.

The two-hour, 13-minute victory gave the Flying Titans a strong start after previous campaigns were disrupted by national team commitments and injuries to key players.

“We worked really hard for this win, and we knew we had to earn it,” said Laure in Filipino.

“We kept reminding one another that we had each other’s backs. No matter what happened, we had to keep fighting and trust the process.”

That fighting spirit proved decisive.

Despite dropping the first two sets, Choco Mucho held its ground as coach Dante Alinsunurin challenged his players to respond.

“They accepted my challenge after the second set. Talagang nag-focus ako sa galit para sa kanila. Sinabi ko na hindi ko kailangan kung magaling ka; kailangan ko yung team na gustong manalo,” said Alinsunurin.

The Flying Titans responded with a dominant third set before carrying the momentum into the fourth.

Laure unleashed a series of attacks and capped the fourth set with a crosscourt hit that forced a decider.

“Na-challenge sila siguro, kaya sobrang thankful ako sa naging response nila,” added Alinsunurin.

“Pero sana hindi lang ’to ngayon. Sana marami pa silang magawa sa next game namin.”

Laure immediately made her presence felt in the fifth set by opening the scoring after an extended exchange of attacks and digs.

Capital1 tied the set at 1 before Choco Mucho unleashed a 7-2 run to take a five-point lead at the changeover.

The Flying Titans then tightened their grip on the match by capitalizing on the Solar Spikers’ errors and maintaining pressure at the net and from the back row.

Rondina-Rosales delivered a series of powerful attacks, including second-chance conversions, and denied Cherry Nunag with a timely defensive play.

She then converted a scoring opportunity after Dawn Catindig made a spectacular save on Bella Belen’s attack to preserve Choco Mucho’s five-point cushion.

Laure followed with a back-row attack after Vanie Gandler misfired from the back to put the Flying Titans at match point.

Belen blocked Kat Tolentino to briefly extend the match, but Capital1’s Pia Abbu committed a service error on the next point to seal Choco Mucho’s comeback.

The Flying Titans endured more than two hours of pressure after trailing for much of the early stages before finding their rhythm in the final three sets.

Laure finished with 22 points, 11 excellent digs and 15 receptions and was named the first Most Valuable Player of the Siklab Series, the opening conference of the PVL’s three-conference season organized by Sports Vision.

The national team mainstay also welcomed the chance to apply lessons from international competition back in the PVL.

“We’re happy to be back in the PVL and to share what we’ve learned from playing with the national team, alongside Bella and Vanie,” said Laure.

“It feels good to put those lessons into action here, especially in front of a crowd that gave us so much energy.”

Laure also thanked Cebuano fans for their warm reception.

“Grabe, sobrang warm ng welcome ng mga Cebuanos. Maraming-maraming salamat!” Laure exclaimed, her voice hoarse after the emotionally charged performance.

Rondina-Rosales, who came off the bench in the opening set before joining the starting lineup in the second, finished with 12 points.

Middle blocker Maddie Madayag added 11 points, while Tolentino chipped in eight.

Caitlin Viray contributed six crucial points, while Lorene Toring and Jewel Encarnacion scored five apiece.

Capital1 saw its strong start slip away despite productive performances from its leading scorers.

Erika Santos topscored with 22 points, while Belen and Gandler added 15 each.

The Solar Spikers struggled to sustain their early dominance as Choco Mucho tightened its defense and disrupted their attacking rhythm over the final three sets.

Unsteady first-ball receptions also hampered Capital1’s offense and allowed the Flying Titans to dictate the pace during the decisive stretches.

Choco Mucho held a slim 66-65 edge in attacks and led in blocks, 12-9.

Capital1 had the advantage in service aces, 5-2, but the Flying Titans proved more composed in the closing stages.

When Choco Mucho needed someone to take charge, Laure delivered, powering the Flying Titans to an opening-day victory and an early statement in their Season 10 campaign.