Petro Gazz and Choco Mucho hope to build on the momentum of their thrilling come-from-behind victories as they seek to arrange a titular showdown in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig today (Thursday).
The Angels displayed resilience in overturning a set deficit against the Chery Tiggo Crossovers, clinching a 20-25, 25-21, 25-15, 25-16 victory. Similarly, the Flying Titans staged an impressive comeback from two sets down to upend the Creamline Cool Smashers for the first time in 13 face-offs, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16, in Tuesday’s opener of the single round semis before a packed crowd at the Pasig venue.
They switch opponents this time with the Angels battling Cool Smashers at 4 p.m. and the Flying Titans colliding with the Crossovers at 6 p.m. Victories by top seed Petro Gazz and No. 2 Choco Mucho will propel them to the finals while Creamline and Chery Tiggo will duel for the bronze.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed his confidence in his wards’ winning mindset while stressing the importance of hard work and determination on the court. Despite facing a dominant opponent in the Cool Smashers, Alinsunurin believes in his team’s ability to make timely adjustments and rise to the occasion.
“Yun naman talaga yung goal namin every time na ganitong sitwasyon. Kailangan namin trabahuin talaga bawat puntos,” said Alinsunurin.
The Cool Smashers looked poised to extending their 12-game dominance of the Flying Titans when they took the first two sets in lopsided fashions. But Sisi Rondina and Royse Tubino found their rhythm in the crucial third frame, leading to the team’s fourth match that went the distance and the historic win.
“Yun talaga yung nagiging sitwasyon, kung ano yung tinatrabaho namin talaga sa training, yun ang lumalabas. Importante lang talaga, gusto namin yung ginagawa namin araw-araw. Kung ano man yung adjustment pagdating sa game, mas madali lang kami makakapag-adjust,” said Alinsunurin.
Meanwhile, despite a convincing victory over the Crossovers, the Angels remain cautious of the Cool Smashers’ formidable lineup. Top spiker Brooke Van Sickle acknowledged the strength and defensive prowess of all competing teams, emphasizing the need for aggression and precision in their gameplay.
“These teams are very scrappy, they’re very good at defense, and they’re gonna put up a fight and I feel like I made a decent amount of errors (against the Crossovers). It is what it is,” said Van Sickle, who led the Angels’ romp with 21 points, taking over in the crucial stretch in the second set and sustaining it to the finish.
She vowed to stay aggressive against the embattled Cool Smashers.
“Coming to the next game, just trying to stay aggressive and I feel like every player that steps on the court, everyone wants it, everyone wants to win, everyone’s aggressive, like I need to match that and continue to put give full effort and a hundred percent swing every single time. That is the game plan. Just hit the ball hard,” said Van Sickle.
But as determined as the Angels and the Flying Titans to get into the finals are the Cool Smashers and the Crossovers to get back into the title race, guaranteeing another pair of intense, compelling matches.
