F2 Logistics outhustles Choco Mucho in marathon win

F2 Logistics survived Sisi Rondina's 28-point explosion and the sweltering conditions inside the venue to turn back Choco Mucho, 21-25, 25-17, 17-25, 25-21, 18-16, and move closer to a semifinal seat in Pool B of the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference in Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Head coach Regine Diego's eagle-eyed coaching staff saved the Cargo Movers from the jaws of defeat, calling out two crucial challenges in their decisive 7-2 closing run to remain unscathed after three outings.

Kim Kianna Dy collected 24 points built on 21 spikes, two kill blocks and an ace to pace F2 Logistics, which took the all-important marathon win in two hours and 37 minutes while halting the erstwhile unbeaten Flying Titans' two-game win streak.

"This win is very important for us. (But) we have to learn from this also and we will keep going because (the job) is not yet done. This is not the championship it was just a good game with my girls," Diego said.

"And maybe a little bit luckier than Choco Mucho because Choco Mucho is a titan. They are really a titan. They are a very strong team. We just worked together (to get this win).

Jolina dela Cruz got 11 points including the match point advantage-scoring ace, and tallied 13 excellent receptions while Majoy Baron scored three of her 11 markers on kill blocks for the Cargo Movers.

Ivy Lacsina had a quiet night with just four markers but her last and biggest point came in the fifth set as she sealed the match with a crisp hit that landed at the undefended back corner of the Flying Titans.

F2 Logistics stole the game from the hands of Choco Mucho, who took a 14-11 lead in the fifth set only to be denied victory.

The Flying Titans were already celebrating after Dy was called for an attack error on a wide hit but a successful net touch challenge by the Cargo Movers tied the frame at 14.

Bea De Leon gave Choco Mucho back the match point advantage, 15-14, and the Flying Titans again celebrated an attack error called on Dela Cruz but another successful block touch challenge saved another match point for the Cargo Movers.

Rondina, who punched in 27 of her points on spikes, scored on a backrow hit to put Choco Mucho back at match point advantage but F2 Logistics setter Mars Alba won a joust for a 16-16 deadlock.

Dela Cruz landed an ace before Lacsina's game-winner.

Des Cheng, who was rushed to the hospital in the fourth set after suffering exhaustion due to the severe heat inside the venue packed with 7,067-strong crowd, had 13 points with all but one coming off kills for the Flying Titans.

Cherry Nunag who went down with cramps in the final set produced 12 points, Caitlyn Viray had 10 markers while Maddie Madayag and Kat Tolentino chipped nine each for Choco Mucho.