Mars Alba is Another Problem for Choco Mucho’s Semis Opponent

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans (CMF) are semi-finals bound, besting the PLDT High-Speed Hitters in five sets (25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13). As they look to the next round of the PVL All-Filipino Conference, Head Coach Dante Alinsunurin credits his team’s relentless effort and perseverance in their campaign, with setter-turned-outside-hitter Mars Alba delivering in the clutch.

Responsible for CMF’s 14-13 advantage in the fifth, Alba converted a Deanna Wong set, evading the towering Baron-Davison wall with a cross-court volley. The former Lady Archer finished with 22 excellent sets and seven points, assisting captain CC Rondina’s final blow—concluding with a team-high 21 markers.

YouTube: Premier Volleyball League

The fifth-ranked Flying Titans were inches away from claiming the 2023 and 2024 All-Filipino Conference titles, but they fell short of their Creamline Cool Smashers rivals. At the forefront of their second finals appearance and ninth-place finish during the recent Reinforced Conference, Alba continues expanding her arsenal as a leader, an assist-first position player, and (now) an effective scorer prepared for the next challenge.

“May kumpiyansa lang din na ginagawa sa ensayo kasi lately sumasali na ako sa free-spiking. Na-practice naman kaya may kumpiyansa din ako,” she mentions.

(I’ve gained confidence through training because I’ve been joining our free-spiking practices lately. I’ve been practicing, so that’s where my confidence stems.)

Joining the roster in 2024, she credits fellow veteran setter for the last-second decision that sealed the series, jokingly touching on a “special connection” between her and Wong. Now another card in Head Coach Alinsunurin’s hand, Mars Alba’s Swiss Army Knife-like capabilities pose a threat in their hopeful deep post-season campaign—providing efficient sets or converting on the offensive end.

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