The Choco Mucho Flying Titans. PVL Media Bureau

MANILA, Philippines – Down two sets to one, Choco Mucho regained its form to survive gritty Nxled in a five-set marathon, 25-21, 23-25, 21-25, 25-23, 15-10, in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

"A win is a win, pero grabe ‘yung kumpiyansa ng Nxled. Sobrang ganda ng ginalaw nila, kahit anong adjustments na ginagawa namin talagang nandoon pa rin sila. Sobrang ganda ng nilaro nila," said coach Dante Alinsunurin, tipping his hat to his rivals tonight.

When the Chameleons surged in Set 4, dropping a 4-0 run for a 20-16 set lead, the Flying Titans answered back with seven unanswered points to regain driver's seat, capped by attacks from Royse Tubino.

Nxled's Jaycel Delos Reyes and EJ Laure kept their team in striking distance by scoring through spikes as they closed within one at 24-23, but Sisi Rondina was there to force a rubber set with a sharp kill, 25-23.

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The Flying Titans, riding on a momentum, had a fiery 9-3 start in the fifth to dictate the tone of the rest of the match.

Laure tried to spark a Nxled run, firing back-to-back hits for a 13-9 count, but Rondina, again, and now Isa Molde were there to finally end the Thursday thriller with their respective kills.

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Rondina had a great all-around performance for the violet jerseys, listing 23 points anchored on 21 attacks, one block and a service ace to go with 19 excellent digs and 10 excellent receptions, while former UP standout Molde grabbed 12 attack points to join the former MVP in double-digit scoring.

Libero Thang Ponce also registered 15 excellent digs and 18 excellent receptions, supplementing the floor defense of the Flying Titans.

Meanwhile, Laure led her team with 20 points, while May Luna-Lumahan added 17 markers.

Choco Mucho improved to 7-3, while Nxled saw its record go down to 1-9.