Photo credit: PVL

Choco Mucho Flying Titans finally snapped out of their slump — and they did it the hard way.

Digging deep into their veteran poise, the Flying Titans clawed back from a 1-2 set deficit to outlast the Galeries Tower Highrisers, 26-24, 20-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-12, to breathe life back into their semifinal campaign in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference late Thursday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

It was not just about power. It was about composure.

Calm Under Pressure

The Titans found themselves trailing 5-8 in the deciding fifth set as the Highrisers, fueled by Erika Deloria, Jean Asis and Gayle Pascual, threatened to pull off a major upset. But instead of unraveling, Choco Mucho leaned on experience.

With Eya Laure making a timely return, Kat Tolentino steady on the wings, and Dindin Manabat providing balance, the Titans unleashed a decisive 10-4 closing run. Their net defense tightened, their attacks sharpened, and the panic never came.

They saved their boldest move for the final stretch.

Holding a slim 14-12 edge after Sisi Rondina delivered one of her signature soaring hits, Choco Mucho’s coaching staff stopped play to challenge a possible net violation. It was a gamble. A failed challenge would have handed Galeries Tower a crucial point.

Video review, however, confirmed Pascual’s elbow grazed the net during a block attempt. The call sealed the match — anti-climactic perhaps, but fitting for a team that relied on awareness and discipline when it mattered most.

A Much-Needed Breakthrough

The victory marked Choco Mucho’s second win after suffering three straight losses that had cast doubt on its title bid. More importantly, it showed maturity — the kind contenders must have in a tightly packed semifinal race.

Laure made an emphatic return with 18 points, while Rondina also poured in 18 in vintage form. But it was middle blocker Lorraine Pecaña who emerged as the steady anchor, finishing with 15 points built on seven attacks, four blocks and four aces to claim Best Player of the Game honors in the two-hour and 10-minute marathon.

Pecaña could not hide her joy after the match, saying the win was a crucial step in restoring their confidence and expressing pride in how the team responded.

Numbers Tell the Story

Choco Mucho improved to 2-3, tying Galeries Tower and Capital1 for sixth place and tightening the crowded race for the semifinals.

The Titans dominated in attacks, 65-50, and delivered nine aces compared to the Highrisers’ five. Manabat and Des Cheng chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, while Tolentino added nine.

Galeries Tower made its stand at the net with 13 blocks, four more than Choco Mucho, keeping the match close throughout. Deloria erupted for a career-high 19 points, while Pascual added 15. Setter Julia Coronel also contributed eight markers in an aggressive outing.

Still, when endurance and nerve defined the night, it was Choco Mucho that held steady.

In a conference increasingly shaped by five-set marathons and razor-thin margins, the Flying Titans proved they still have both the firepower and the fortitude.

And when the pressure reached its suffocating peak, they did not flinch.