Choco Mucho's Mars Alba and Sisi Rondina. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA, Philippines – Mars Alba and Sisi Rondina of semifinal-bound Choco Mucho expressed their thanks to their seventh man every match.
Both aces recognized the roles of their fans, somehow making every encounter a home game.
Even PLDT's Savi Davison acknowledged in a previous interview that their fans are a huge boost for the Flying Titans.
"Sobrang nagpapasalamat po kami sa Choco Mucho fans kasi sobrang big factor talaga ng pag-cheer nila sa amin during games. Maraming, maraming salamat — manalo, matalo, andiyan pa rin sila," said Alba after ousting PLDT, 25-15, 12-25, 25-23, 21-25, 15-13, in Game 2 of the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference Quarterfinals on Thursday at the PhilSports Arena.
"Ako naman, 'di rin kami mapapagod ilaban and bigyan sila ng magandang entertainment. Siyempre [dapat] sumaya din [sila] para worth it naman 'yung biyahe nila at panonood nila," said Rondina.
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho first to enter semis by completing q'finals sweep of PLDT
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho completes epic reverse sweep vs PLDT, nears semis
Coach Dante Alinsunurin also discussed how the cheers helped the players in the game.
"Nagsimula sa fans na nandito... Kahit lamang 'yung kalaban nandiyan sila, suporta nang suporta sa amin. Sobrang sigaw sila and alam mo 'yun, nabubuhayan kami sa ginagawa nila," he said.
They somehow channeled their Ginebra-like "never say die" spirit because of their supporters, Alinsunurin asserted.
"Same thing din naman sa Ginebra, dati pinapanood ko 'yan — kahit nalalamangan sila maraming pa ring support," said Alinsunurin.
"Pero 'yung sa amin, 'yung 'never say die' namin every time na may situation, talagang tinatakbuhan namin 'yung isa’t isa. Na kailangan ma-maximize namin kung ano 'yung pwede naming gawin sa loob ng court, and kung ano 'yung ineensayo namin sana mapakita namin."