Choco Mucho skipper Maddie Madayag. Photo from PVL Media Bureau
MANILA – Choco Mucho captain Maddie Madayag is proud of the growth of her squad which she was a part of since its inception.
"All I can say is that we've come a long way. Five years, parang kaka-start pa lang ng Choco Mucho. I was there. Parang until now, I still can't believe we're here already. But ayun nga, dito na kami. Kailangan naming trumabaho ulit na makuha ang goal namin," the former Ateneo standout said after her team pushed back Petro Gazz, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference semifinals on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
"I'm just really proud of my teammates na you can really see it in their eyes. Gusto nilang manalo. Na-experience na namin na makapag-finals last conference. Ganoon pala ang feeling. 'Yun ang gusto namin. We want more. 'Yun lang talaga," Madayag went on.
After a series of seventh-place finishes, the Flying Titans are now returning to the Finals to contend for a PVL crown.
Not just that, they finally beat Creamline after 13 tries and picked a right time — in the semifinal round, which also helped them sweep the postseason thus far.
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho pushes back Petro Gazz, books Finals showdown with Creamline
READ: Choco Mucho now a team to beat in PVL, says Maddie Madayag
Just last year, after losing the 2023 Second AFC Finals to Creamline, Madayag even said, "'Di kami basta-basta lang."
READ: PVL: Creamline ousts Chery Tiggo, clinches finals berth
From then, the Flying Titans went on to take the second-seed in this tourney's elimination round, just behind Petro Gazz which they ousted from Finals contention.
As they enter the last round, Madayag said the Flying Titans will stay humble as they acknowledge the strengths of the Cool Smashers.
"I think the team will stay humble because I think Creamline is Creamline. They're a very difficult team to beat and na-experience namin na kaya namin sila talunin na yun ang baon namin coming to the finals na kaya namin."
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