Choco Mucho drew strength from seldom-used Regine Arocha as it escaped a resilient Army Black Mamba, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16, 25-27, 15-11, in the Premier Volleyball League All Filipino Conference at the Filoil Ecooil Centre in San Juan City Thursday, Feb. 23.
Arocha, a two-time Finals MVP in the NCAA during her collegiate days for Arellano, fired 13 points built on 12 attacks including early in the pivotal fifth set that gave the Flying Titans the needed boost after failing to close out the match early in the fourth frame.
Her fiery fifth-set assault put Choco Mucho to a comfortable 12-5 lead before Army launched a counterattack anchored on Jeanette Villareal that trimmed the advantage to 12-11.
This time, it was Kat Tolentino and Isa Molde who stepped up to the challenge by conspiring for three straight points to seal the match in their favor.
The triumph snapped Choco Mucho’s two-game skid and evened its win-loss record to 2-2.
Army, for its part, plummeted to its fourth consecutive loss in as many games.
“Sabi ni coach Dante, dapat kaming lahat ready lang maglaro para kapag kakailanganin, andyan lang,” said Arocha.
Despite sitting out for most parts of the fourth set, Tolentino steered the Flying Titans throughout with 20 points including 18 kills.
Molde pumped in 18 attacks to finish with 19 points while Maddie Madayag added 10 points including three blocks and two aces.
For a moment, Army appeared to have gained its senses when it erased a 21-16 deficit by tying it at 24-all on the efforts of Royse Tubino, Mary Anne Esguerra and Villareal.
A service error from Nene Bautista put Choco Mucho at match point, 25-24, but back-to-back attacks from Tubino and Villareal, and an attack error from Caitlyn Viray extended the match to a deciding frame.
Then it was Arocha’s time to shine.