Games Saturday:
(Philsports Arena)
2:30 p.m. –- Akari vs Army
5:30 p.m. –- Cignal vs Chery Tiggo
Choco Mucho overcame a fourth set surge of F2 Logistics, 25-21, 22-25, 25-20, 26-24, to barge into the win column of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City on Thursday.
Despite playing only in the fourth set as a substitute, Isa Molde delivered two of the last three points of the Flying Titans to finish off the Cargo Movers for a 1-1 win-loss record tied with PLDT.
Molde forced a deuce, 24-24, as Choco Mucho saved two set points. F2 Logistics setter Iris Tolenada was called for a net touch before Molde sealed the win with a kill block on a frustrated Cargo Movers import Linday Stalzer, who made her debut after skipping F2 Logistics’ opening game due to health and safety protocols.
“I trusted Isa. We just made some last-minute adjustments and Isa was able to follow right away. I just told her to trust herself and that she can do it. And she did,” Flying Titans coach Oliver Almadro said of Molde, who had six points including two kill blocks.
Uzbek-Azerbaijani outside hitter Odina Aliyeva poured 27 points hinged on 25 kills and had 11 digs while Bea de Leon and Kat Tolentino got 11 markers each for Choco Mucho, which came from a tough straight sets loss to Petro Gazz.
Veteran libero Denden Lazaro-Revilla showed vintage form as she tallied 26 digs and 11 excellent receptions for the Flying Titans. Seasoned setter Jem Ferrer had 20 excellent sets that paved the way for Choco Mucho hitters to land 66 attack points.
“Every game is gonna be a tough game for us. I just told them during the game that we have to want it more. I told my players to keep the faith and let’s work together. And they delivered,” Almadro said.
F2 Logistics, which lost starting setter Kim Fajardo to an ankle sprain in the third set, absorbed its second straight defeat in as many games.
Stalzer registered 26 points while Kalei Mau had 15 points with her last hit giving the Cargo Movers a 24-22 set point advantage in the fourth frame.
The undermanned F2 Logistics played without Shola Alvarez, CJ Saga and Tin Tiamzon due to health and safety protocols. Starting libero Dawn Macandili is expected to suit up next week after taking a break to rest an undisclosed injury.