Choco Mucho, Akari near semis after fending off PLDT, Galeries

Choco Mucho and Akari needed to dig deep in order to pull off five-set victories over PLDT and Galeries, respectively, and inch closer to a semifinals seat in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena. 

The Flying Titans turned to high-flying outside spiker Sisi Rondina in the crucial fifth set to eke out a 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 comeback victory against the High Speed Hitters and draw first blood in the best-of-three quarterfinals series. 

Already down two sets then 0-3 in the deciding fifth set, Choco Mucho staged a wild comeback with Rondina powering a 4-0 rampage that helped the squad to turn a 5-6 deficit to a 9-6 lead in the final frame.

Another seasoned spiker in Honey Royse Tubino found Shiela Kiseo out of position to complete a cross court kill, giving Choco Mucho the match point at 14-12. 

But PLDT just refused to wave the white flag as Savi Davison converted two consecutive kills to tie it up at 14-14, before Choco Mucho clinched the match points again twice on a Rondina backrow attack and Dell Palomata service error, 17-16. 

Rondina then took advantage of her return to the frontline, breaking the wall of Majoy Baron and Erika Santos to put an end to the intense marathon. 

In the first game, Akari similarly survived a brave stand from Galeries to pull off a 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11 triumph behind Ivy Lacsina and Eli Soyud. 

Lacsina top-scored with 28 points built on 22 attacks and six huge blocks while also grabbing 12 receptions. Soyud chipped in 19 markers on 18 attacks and one ace.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News