Titans seek solo lead versus Thunderbelles
CHOCO Mucho aims for a second straight victory and an early grip on the solo lead as it battles debuting ZUS Coffee, while Capital1 and Akari look to bounce back from opening-game defeats in the PVL All-Filipino Siklab Series at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Thursday.
The Flying Titans launch their bid at 6 p.m. on the heels of a stirring comeback against the Capital1 Solar Spikers, rallying from two sets down to pull off a stunning victory before a full house at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena in last Saturday’s season-opening matches.
The triumph underscored Choco Mucho’s resilience and ability to turn adversity into opportunity, but the Flying Titans face a different challenge against a ZUS Coffee side eager to make an immediate impact in its league debut.
Led by Eya Laure, Choco Mucho will also lean on Sisi Rondina, Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino, Caitlin Viray, Lorene Toring, Des Cheng and Isa Molde as it seeks to sustain its winning momentum against a ZUS Coffee lineup featuring Cess Robles, Kate Santiago, Chinnie Arroyo, Jolina dela Cruz, Fiola Ceballos, Jovelyn Gonzaga, Riza Nogales and Chai Troncoso.
ZUS Coffee will also parade middle blocker Angela Jackson, a 20-year-old UPIS alumna and the youngest draftee in the PVL, who hopes to make an early impression with her grit and raw potential. While both teams have the firepower to make their mark, execution and defensive discipline could prove decisive.
Choco Mucho displayed both in its comeback against Capital1, overcoming an early deficit to seize control and complete the turnaround.
“Whatever I can do to help the team [win], I will do it so that Choco Mucho can start off well again,” said head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“They were challenged [by Capital1]. I’m very thankful for how they responded, and I hope this isn’t just for today. I hope we can do a lot more in our next game,” he added.
Capital1, meanwhile, gets an immediate chance to redeem itself when it faces Akari at 1 p.m. in a matchup that carries added importance for two teams coming off opening-game losses.
The Solar Spikers appeared poised to live up to their pretournament billing after taking the first two sets against Choco Mucho, with the vaunted trio of Bella Belen, Erika Santos and Vanie Gandler delivering as expected. But Alinsunurin made the necessary adjustments, and his wards responded to turn the match around in dramatic fashion.
Capital1 will need to rediscover its early form and sustain its intensity across the match against an Akari side likewise eager to get back on track after a disappointing debut.
The Chargers struggled to find answers to the dominant showing of the Creamline Cool Smashers in their opening assignment. Only Ivy Lacsina reached double figures with 12 points, as Fifi Sharma, Faith Nisperos, Grethcel Soltones, Jyne Soreno, Chenie Tagaod, Mary Rhose Dapol, Nicole Ancheta and Eli Soyud struggled to make an impact on both ends of the floor.
The opening series is a single-round-robin tournament, with the top four teams advancing to the crossover series.
The top two finishers will enjoy twice-to-beat advantages, making every match crucial in the race to the Final Four.
Meanwhile, action in the Spikers’ Turf resumes with debuting 3B Event Masters taking on Clear Skin at 3:30 p.m. TMT
