Deanna Wong returns, Sisi Rondina stars as Choco Mucho completes reverse sweep vs. ZUS Coffee

Deanna Wong and Sisi Rondina did not let Choco Mucho down in the face of adversity, presiding in their 20-25, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22, 15-9 come-from-behind victory over ZUS Coffee in the PVL All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the Philsports Arena. 

Wong, who marked her first game of the conference after five months due to a nagging knee injury, unleashed her might on setting up the plays, while Rondina was an unstoppable force from all corners as the Flying Titans improved to 4-3. 

The Thunderbelles, who almost had the win in their hands but suffered a meltdown in the last three sets, absorbed their third straight loss and dropped to 2-4. 

Rondina posted 25 points together with nine receptions while Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Isa Molde posted 19 and 13 markers apiece. 

"Sabi nga ni coach, team effort siya so hindi ko po 'yun magagawa if hindi rin po sa effort ng teammates ko," Wong said.

"Nu'ng una nagaalalay pa [ako] pero I think it's also because matagal na kami magkakasama so kahit nawala nang gano'ng katagal, hindi gano'ng kahirap ['yung adjustment]."

Down two sets, Choco Mucho refused to surrender with rookie Lorraine Pecaña dropping crucial points late in the third frame, including a quick attack and an ace that sent them to a 19-17 lead. 

Rondina then sent them to the set point, 24-21, before a Thea Gagate serve error allowed the Flying Titans to extend the game to a fourth set. 

Choco Mucho built on that momentum, opening the fourth with a 3-0 start before securing a much-needed 21-15 cushion. But ZUS Coffee retaliated by unloading a 6-0 blitz led by Mich Gamit and Gayle Pascual as they tied things up at 21-all. 

Santiago-Manabat then rose to occasion when it mattered most after the veteran spiker knocked down three of their last four points to drag the Thunderbelles to a decider, 25-22. 

A 9-1 rampage to kick off the fifth set ensued with Choco Mucho leaning on the troika of Rondina, Santiago-Manabat, and Molde before ZUS Coffee responded with a 6-3 run to cut the deficit to five, 7-12. 

But Rondina went through two blockers before Wong sealed it by going for a one-two play, 15-9. 

The loss spoiled a well-balanced offense from ZUS Coffee, which got a team-high 17-point outing from Glaudine Troncoso. Pascual and Thea Gagate, meanwhile, registered 15 and 14 markers each. 

—JKC, GMA Integrated News