Choco Mucho faces Cignal in semifinals sudden death

Game Tuesday(PhilSports Arena)6 p.m. — Cignal vs Choco Mucho

TWICE, sister teams Creamline and Choco Mucho shattered the Premier Volleyball League’s (PVL) attendance records when the siblings faced off and drew 14,432 and 19,157 crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena a year ago.

The Flying Titans will have a chance to set another milestone and try to arrange a rematch against the mighty Cool Smashers at a bigger stage — the PVL All-Filipino Conference finals also at the Pasay venue.

Standing in the way of that galactic clash of the titans are the dangerous Cignal HD Spikers, who are hoping to go to the finals themselves in search for glory as they face off with Sisi Rondina and her brady bunch in today’s semifinals sudden death at the PhilSports Arena.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Ms. Rondina, a favorite to win the Most Valuable Player plum, stressed they’re ready for war.

“This is war,” said the diminutive juggernaut from University of Santo Tomas, who unleashed a spectacular 23-point masterpiece laced with 20 missile-like attacks.

Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, for his part, stressed the need for the Flying Titans, who are on the verge of claiming their best finish after a pair of fourth-place finishes, to stay hungry and keep the fire burning.

For Ms. Rondina, staying grounded would also be essential.

“We have to humble ourselves and start all over again. I think the team who will become complacent has the disadvantage and that’s what happened in Game One,” said Ms. Rondina. “I think Cignal will come back with more fire so we have to be ready again,” she added.

But for now, all Philippine fandom can do is wait with bated breath as the rematch between the country’s most popular team materializes. — Joey Villar