Choco Mucho claims VTV Cup 2023 bronze at Kansai University's expense

Choco Mucho finished its maiden VTV Cup campaign on a high note by taking home the bronze against Kansai University of Japan.

The Flying Titans recovered from a second-set defeat to dispatch their younger Japanese counterparts via a 25-20, 23-25, 25-13, 25-22 four-set victory at Lao Cai Hall in Lao Cai, Vietnam on Saturday night, August 26.

Coming off a heartbreaking five-set loss over Vietnam 2 a day before, Dante Alinsunurin's squad showed no signs of fatigue to become the first Filipino side to ever win a medal in the competition held annually by the Volleyball Federation of Vietnam (VFV) and Vietnam Television (VTV).

High-flying outside hitter Sisi Rondina powered the Alinsunurin-coached Choco Mucho with 24 points from 24 attacks.

Middle blocker Maddie Madayag added 16 points built on 12 hits, two blocks, and two aces, while Caitlyn Viray contributed 13 markers on 10 kills, a pair of rejections, and a service bomb. Madayag's fellow MB Cherry Nunag had 11.

Meanwhile, Kansai U got the needed production from three double-digit scorers led by Hikaru Tamura's 16, while An Akazue and Yui Yoshioka tallied 11 points apiece in a losing effort.

Scattered attacking paved the way for the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) club to overcome the Hyogo-based squad to take the opening set before the latter evened the scoreline in the next frame.

Rondina and Madayag conspired in the third set, pounding six points each for Choco Mucho to obliterate the collegiate team.

Firing eight attacks in the fourth and final frame, Rondina couldn't be stopped, and she towed the Flying Titans past Kansai in a dominant fashion.

CMFT met Kansai in the preliminary round and dealt them the same 3-1 beating.

Rondina and her company finished the preliminaries as the third seed, setting their clash against second-seeded Vietnam 2 in the semifinal round.

Choco Mucho gave Vietnam 2 a run for their money in the semis after forcing a decider but still fell in a 25-18, 18-25, 25-12, 22-25, 15-5 thriller.

In the eliminations, Vietnam 2 reversed swept the Flying Titans in a five-setter clash, 25-20, 28-26, 21-25, 20-25, 9-15.