CHOCO Mucho ensured there would be no repeat of the previous meltdown, sweeping Cignal 25-23, 25-22, 25-22, and forcing their semifinal series into a sudden-death match in the Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference held at the Philsports Arena yesterday.

In contrast to the opening game where they let a two-set lead slip away, the Flying Titans worked meticulously, relishing every point to even the best-of-three series at 1-1. The decisive Game 3 is scheduled for Tuesday at the same Pasig venue.

Following a hectic 24 hours, during which he led Sta. Elena-NU to two victories in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, coach Dante Alinsunurin expressed satisfaction that the Choco Mucho team, which had won 10 consecutive games before the series-opening defeat, had shown up.

“We came here with the mindset of making up for our loss in Game 1,” said Alinsunurin. “The players truly delivered. They worked from the first point until the end of the game. There were some struggles on the court, but we were able to adjust, and I’m thankful that we secured Game 2,” he added.

Sisi Rondina shone with 23 points, including two blocks and eight receptions, while Kat Tolentino delivered her best performance of the season with 15 points, contributing two of the Flying Titans’ six blocks.

Determined to lead Choco Mucho to their first-ever Finals appearance since joining the league in 2019, Rondina emphasized the importance of unity to not only win the battle but also the war.

“I keep saying repeatedly that my mindset is always like we’re in a war, and I always say that we will win,” said Rondina.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, one of the HD Spikers’ heroes in Game 1, recorded 13 kills, 10 digs, and seven receptions. However, Gonzaga closed out the one-hour and 41-minute match with a service error, extinguishing hopes of another Cignal comeback.

Ces Molina added 11 points, while Riri Meneses contributed three blocks to finish with 11 points for the HD Spikers. Despite Rose Doria producing a match-best four blocks, the Flying Titans’ attacking prowess proved too much to handle.