Flying Titans take epic five-setter, enter semis

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho setter Mars Alba will do everything to win.

Alba came through big in the crunch and helped will the Flying Titans to a pulse-pounding 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 victory over the PLDT High Speed Hitters and straight into the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference semifinals at the PhilSports Arena last night.

Part of a two-setter combination utilized by Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin late, Alba drilled in an off-speed spike that found an empty hole and gave them a 14-13 lead in the fifth and deciding set before Sisi Rondina unloaded the series-clinching kill.

With the win, Choco Mucho booked a ticket to the round-robin semis starting Tuesday at the same Pasig venue.

It’s the franchise’s third All-Filipino Conference semis appearance and fifth overall since it joined the league six years ago.

“Actually, I didn’t expect coach Dante to have me play as a spiker but I will do everything to help the team win,” said an emotional Alba, who had a match-best 22 excellent sets on top of seven hits, including that diamond of a spike in the clutch.

It was another Alba masterpiece after the 25-year-old former La Salle star also shone brightest in a come-from-behind 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13 escape in last week’s series opener.

Alba conspired with Rondina and Royce Tubino, who had 21 and 15 points, respectively, when the Flying Titans erased a 1-5 deficit in the final set.

Interestingly, Choco Mucho remained perfect in six five-setters it played this conference.

The Flying Titans have also stretched their streak to nine after starting the conference with a 2-3 record.