The Choco Mucho Flying Titans bounced back from their first loss of the season after edging the PetroGazz Angels, 25-20, 23-25, 25-21, 25-23, in the 2021 PVL Open Conference at the PCV Socio-Civic & Cultural Center in Bacarra, Ilocos Norte Friday, Aug. 6.
Chocho Mucho executed a well-distributed offense as five players scored in double digits.
Ponggay Gaston and Maddie Madayag spearheaded Choco Mucho with 14 points apiece while Regine Arocha, who had 12 kills, and Kat Tolentino fired 13 markers each.
Gaston drilled 12 attacks as well while Madayag hammered six block points. Bea de Leon chipped in 10 points and Deanna Wong, who tossed 26 excellent sets, added nine markers.
Trailing 23-20 late in the fourth set, Petro Gazz uncorked a 3-0 run capped by a down-the-line hit from Remy Palma to give the Angels a glimmer of hope with a 23-deadlock.
It was also a crucial moment for Choco Mucho as Arocha got taken out of the match due to foot cramps.
But the last-minute attempt went to naught as Petro Gazz committed two straight errors from Jessey De Leon at the service area and Ivy Perez at the front row.
"Both teams played well, 'yon lang naman. 'Yong mga players ko played well also, we thank the Lord for the strength and buti no major injuries so ayun lang," said Choco Mucho coach Oliver Almadro.
The third frame changed the momentum in favor of Choco Mucho with late heroics coming from Gaston, who scored back-to-back points en route to set point.
Mean Mendrez fired back with a through-the-block kill, 24-21, before the skipper from Ateneo Manila University tipped the ball in to secure the set.
Grethcel Soltones and Ria Meneses had 14 points apiece for the Angels while Palma, Ces Molina, and Myla Pablo scored nine points each.
Choco Mucho, who already earned a spot in the semifinals, improved to a 7-1 record, while Petro Gazz remained fourth-seeded with a 6-3 slate.