MANILA, Philippines – A win is a win, they always say.

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans, despite blowing a two-set lead, hung on in the clutch to beat the rising Farm Fresh Foxies in a five-frame marathon, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-27, 15-12, at the PhilSports Arena on Thursday, December 12.

Albeit its shaky nature, the win still snapped a two-game slide for the All-Filipino Conference contenders as they rose to a 3-3 record to end their 2024 run, while Farm Fresh bid goodbye to a two-game winning streak for a 2-3 card.

Former MVP Sisi Rondina overcame an error-prone performance, as she herself admitted, and finished with a team-high 26 points, while Mars Alba tossed a game-best 25 excellent sets in the rollercoaster win.

Reeling from an extended fourth-set loss to bring the match back at even, Choco Mucho labored through the clutch with marginal success, only leading 8-7 at the change-court venture of the fifth, and just at 9-8 after a Des Cheng service error.

The Flying Titans’ experience prevailed in the end, however, as they pulled off a crucial 4-0 separating run to mount a 13-8 advantage that eventually proved to be enough of a cushion to fend off a last-ditch Farm Fresh rally.

In a unique end to the match, Viray got called for a game-sealing net touch error that the Foxies wanted to contest despite being out of challenges. Referee Jocelyn del Rosario instead opted for a rare referee’s challenge, revealing that Viray indeed grazed the net to remove all doubt of the outcome.

Kat Tolentino backstopped Rondina in the win with 18 points, while Cherry Nunag and Isa Molde scored 10 apiece.

Fast-rising star Trisha Tubu, meanwhile, came one point shy of her career high with 31 big points off 28 attacks, 2 blocks, and 1 ace, as former Flying Titan Viray chipped in 15 points in the gallant stand. – Rappler.com