Photo credit: PVL

Choco Mucho sure knows how to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The Flying Titans once again proved their knack for dramatic finishes, clawing back from a 1-2 set deficit to outlast Nxled in a five-set thriller, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-10, at the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The win marked Choco Mucho’s fifth straight victory, improving their record to 7-3 and solidifying their hold on third place behind the still-unbeaten Creamline Cool Smashers (9-0) and the second-seeded Petro Gazz Angels (8-1). More impressively, this was their fourth five-setter of the season—and they’ve won them all!

Flying Titans Take Flight in the Fifth Set

Choco Mucho wasted no time in the decider, racing to a commanding 4-0 lead and never looking back. Nxled, visibly drained from the intense battle, struggled to keep up as the Titans extended their advantage to 9-3. With their signature aggressive play and unshakable composure, Choco Mucho shut the door on any potential comeback from the Chameleons.

Nxled Puts Up a Fight, But Titans Stand Taller

Nxled didn’t go down without a fight. After dropping the first set, they bounced back in the second and third, showing glimpses of their growing potential. At one point, they even had a golden opportunity to close out the match, surging to a 20-15 lead in the fourth set. But that’s where Choco Mucho’s experience kicked in.

The Flying Titans took advantage of a series of Nxled errors, including crucial attack miscues from Lucille Almonte, to level the set at 20-all. Maika Ortiz then stepped up with a clutch quick attack, while Sisi Rondina sealed the set with a powerful kill, forcing a decider.

Rondina Shines Yet Again

It was another monster game for Sisi Rondina, who led Choco Mucho with 23 points while also putting in the work on defense with 19 digs and 10 receptions. Isa Molde added 12 points, while veterans Dindin Manabat and Maika Ortiz chipped in nine apiece. The Flying Titans displayed a well-balanced attack, with Royse Tubino and Cherry Nunag also contributing key points.

Stats Don’t Tell the Whole Story

Interestingly, despite the win, Choco Mucho trailed Nxled in several key statistical categories, including spiking (59-62), blocking (10-13), and service aces (5-6). But what they lacked in numbers, they made up for with grit and clutch plays, capitalizing on Nxled’s 35 unforced errors—12 more than they committed.

Nxled’s Upset Bid Falls Short

EJ Laure led Nxled’s offense with 20 points, while Chiara Permentilla added 17. Almonte contributed 11, but her late-game errors proved costly in their bid to pull off an upset. The Chameleons, now at 1-9, showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn’t close out a seasoned Choco Mucho squad.

With this win, the Flying Titans not only boosted their quarterfinal positioning but also sent a message—they thrive in high-pressure moments. If history is any indication, you can never count them out, no matter the score.