Choco Mucho's Sisi Rondina goes for a hit against Farm Fresh in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, December 12, 2024 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL MediaMANILA -- Choco Mucho averted a meltdown against Farm Fresh on Thursday evening and instead wrapped up the year with an important win in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Flying Titans squandered a two-set advantage but rediscovered their touch in the final frame to pull off a tough 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12 triumph against the determined Foxies.

The result snapped a two-game slide for Choco Mucho, who finished the year with an even 3-3 win-loss record. The Foxies, meanwhile, fell to 2-3, failing to build on their previous win against Zus Coffee last week.

Sisi Rondina was the catalyst of their breakaway in the fifth set, as the explosive spiker fired back-to-back hits that gave the Flying Titans a 13-8 advantage. They reached set point off a Cherry Nunag quick, 14-9, before a Caitlyn Viray hit and a pair of aces from xx Larroza kept the Foxies in the hunt.

Unfortunately for Farm Fresh, Viray was called for a net violation in the final rally that gifted the match point to Choco Mucho. Head coach Benson Bocboc challenged the call, but replays justified the referee's decision.

"Happy kami sa panalo namin, kahit na alam namin na may mga bagay kaming kulang, natuloy pa rin namin ang pagkuha ng panalo. Ine-expect din namin na lalaban talaga 'yung Farm Fresh, ang samin lang talaga is kailangan namin magtulong-tulong," said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin after their win.

Rondina finished with 26 points on 25 kills, while Kat Tolentino added 18 on 10 attacks, a whopping six blocks, and two aces. Nunag finished with 10 points. Playmaker Mars Alba was credited with 25 excellent sets.

Farm Fresh had averted a sweep by capitalizing on late errors by Choco Mucho in Set 3, then showing great poise in Set 4.

The Flying Titans were already at match point, 24-22, when Larroza committed an attack error. Back-to-back miscues by Nunag gave Farm Fresh a lifeline, before Rondina put Choco Mucho on the brink once more with an off-the-block kill. Trisha Tubu responded with a hit of her own to knot the count at 25, and Rondina's next attempt went wide, setting up another Tubu crosscourt kill that sent the match to a decider.

The Foxies could not complete the comeback, however, with Tubu having to head out of the court in the latter stages of Set 5 due to cramps.

Even after getting subbed out towards the end of the match, Tubu still led all scorers with 31 points including 28 kills. Viray finished with 15, and Alyssa Bertolano had 10 points to go along with 12 digs and 19 excellent receptions.

Farm Fresh had more attacks, 62-58, but were out-blocked 14-7 and committed four more errors, 36-32, in the slim defeat.