Choco Mucho's Mars Alba goes for a spike against PLDT in the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, March 20, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL Media

MANILA -- The work that Mars Alba put in during spiking drills bore fruit for Choco Mucho in the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

The 5-foot-6 playmaker took on a bigger offensive role late in Game 2 of their series against PLDT last Thursday, when she was slotted as the Flying Titans' opposite hitter.

In a twist, veteran setter Deanna Wong entered during the latter part of the high-pressure fifth frame but subbed in for opposite hitter Royse Tubino instead of Alba, who even approached her, thinking she was the one being replaced.

Taking over at the wing for Tubino, Alba delivered a crucial cut shot off a perfectly timed set from Wong, evading two High Speed Hitters up top to break a 13-all deadlock and push Choco Mucho to match point.

Her heroics set the stage for Sisi Rondina to unleash the game-clinching blow, sending the Flying Titans back to the All-Filipino Conference semifinals for the third consecutive time.

READ: Choco Mucho first to enter semis by completing q'finals sweep of PLDT

"For me, yung iniisip ko nung time na yun, back-up lang talaga ako. Given na nasa harap talaga si Ate, talagang pumorsiyento lang ako. Hindi ko lang in-expect, pero ready ako," said Alba, who earned the starting gig after a stellar play off the bench in Game 1.

The former La Salle star finished with seven points along with 22 excellent sets in Choco Mucho's hard-fought, 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 Game 2 victory over PLDT in front of 2,443 fans at the Philsports Arena.

"Hindi ko in-expect na binigay sa akin ni Ate Deanna yung bola, pero yun, sabi ko, angat lang—ako bahala. Magco-contribute ako kung anong puwede. 'Di ko rin in-expect kasi akala ko kami ni Ate Deanna magpapalit kanina, tapos biglang sabi, 'Hindi, ikaw,'" she added.

For her standout performance, Alba claimed the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week presented by Pilipinas Live for the period of March 18 to 22.

The 25-year-old playmaker out of San Mateo, Rizal bested fellow Flying Titan Sisi Rondina, Brooke Van Sickle of Petro Gazz, Bea De Leon of Creamline, Chai Troncoso of ZUS Coffee, and Eli Soyud of Akari for the weekly nod of the competition streamed live and on-demand via the Pilipinas Live app and on www.pvl.ph.

"Siguro may kumpiyansa lang given na ginagawa ko sa ensayo, kasi lately nakikisali na ako sa free spiking. Napractice naman, kaya kumpiyansa din ako na may connection kami ni Ate Deanna [Wong]," said Alba.

READ: Alba, Rondina of semis-bound Choco Mucho express gratitude to fans

Choco Mucho's Mars Alba celebrates against PLDT in the quarterfinals of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, March 20, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PVL Media

Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin praised Alba for staying ready, stepping up under pressure, and willingly doing whatever was needed to help the team get the win.

Alinsunurin also said that he never doubted the former UAAP Finals MVP's ability as an attacker, having seen the hard work she puts in during practices.

"Pinag-uusapan talaga namin kung ano pa 'yung dapat naming gawin. Hanggang sa nakita namin pwede palang pumalo si Mars (Alba), although tini-training naman niya 'yan, talaga pumapalo (siya)," said the veteran coach.

"Sobrang crucial ng opensa niya na 'yun kaya nakuha namin 'yung game kasi gusto naming makabalik talaga sa semis."

Choco Mucho, the runner-up of the past two All-Filipino Conferences, will kick off its semifinals round robin on Saturday next week at the Ynares Center Antipolo with defending champion Creamline and Akari. 

Petro Gazz and ZUS Coffee fight for the last semis ticket in a do-or-die Game 3 on Tuesday at Philsports Arena.

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