PVL: Choco Mucho repels Petro Gazz in five-set thriller

Choco Mucho turned back a gallant stand by Petro Gazz to gut out a hard-fought 24-26, 25-22, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13 victory in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena.

The Flying Titans improved to 2-0, joining Chery Tiggo and PLDT at the top spot, while the Angels slipped to an even 1-1 slate.

The win didn’t come easy for Choco Mucho, who wasted a 20-16 cushion in the fourth set as Petro Gazz threatened to force a decider following three straight attacks from Jonah Sabet that tied things up at 21-all.

The Angels clinched the set point twice before Brooke Van Sickle found a hole in Choco Mucho’s defense to cap off the fourth frame, 26-24.

The wards of head coach Dante Alinsunurin then got off to a hot start in the fifth set with high-flyer Sisi Rondina avoiding the double block of Marian Buitre and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas to give her side a crucial 13-7 upper hand.

The no-quit Angels rallied once more, unleashing a 6-1 run instigated by Sabete that forced Choco Mucho to call a timeout. But the late rally went for naught as Buitre’s service went short and straight into the net.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News