Choco Mucho fought back tooth and nail in the pivotal fifth set to turn back a tough PLDT side, 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13, and book the first semifinal berth in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, March 20, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Coming off a fourth-set loss and trailing 5-1 in the deciding frame, the Flying Titans displayed composure and championship experience en route to sweeping their best-of-three quarterfinals series.

Choco Mucho won Game 1 that also went the distance, 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16.

In a surprising move, Flying Titans coach Dante Alinsunurin gambled on sending Mars Alba as a spiker late in the game, which the versatile setter gladly took the role by hitting a crucial spike that sent Choco Mucho to matchpoints, 14-13.

Then it was the turn of high-flying Sisi Rondina to seal the win with an off speed spike, giving the Flying Titans their third straight All-Filipino semis appearance and fifth overall.

“Di ko in-expect na gagawin akong spiker ni coach, pero sabi ko, kahit anong ibigay sakin na bola, gagawin ko para makatulong sa team,” said Alba, who went on to finish with 22 excellent sets on top of seven points.

Playing in five sets wasn’t something new from Choco Mucho. They fought five five-setter matches throughout the conference -- and won all of them.

The road to the semis was also an uphill climb for the Flying Titans as they started the conference at 2-3 before picking up victories here and there including that triumph against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers to barge into the quarterfinals.

“We started from the bottom. Now we’re here, guys,” Alba said.

As expected, Rondina fueled Choco Mucho’s offensive onslaught by firing 18 kills to finish with 21 points, while Royse Tubino also sizzled with 15 points, 13 coming from attacks.

The Flying Titans’ triumph overshadowed the efforts of Savi Davison, who exploded for 34 points including four straight at the start of the fifth set that gave PLDT a 4-0 start.

But all her efforts were put into waste, along with the 17-point production of Majoy Baron, and the combined 24-point output of Erika Santos and Fiola Ceballos.

Later in the day, Akari survived the gutsy plays of Galeries Tower, 19-25, 25-20, 16-25, 25-20, 15-12, to join Choco Mucho into the Final Four.

The Chargers drew strength from Eli Soyud, who pounced with 20 points, as well as Faith Nisperos and Grethcel Soltones, who added 15 and 13 points, respectively.

Jewel Encarnacion had 21 points, while France Ronquillo, Roselle Baliton and Ysa Jimenez conspired for 40 points, but the Highrisers could not find the right combination in closing out the match in their favor.