Eya Laure steps up, lifts Choco Mucho past Nxled

Eya Laure struggled in the first three and a half sets but found her rhythm in time, unloading nine of her 13 points in that momentous fourth set.

PVL Media Bureau

Games Thursday

(FilOil Arena)

4 p.m. – Creamline vs Zus Coffee

6:30 p.m. – PLDT vs Farm Fresh

MANILA, Philippines — Eya Laure has yet to muster the best that she used to offer.

But for one fleeting moment in that critical stretch in the fourth set, the power-hitting Alas Pilipinas standout gave a glimpse of what she could do in lifting Choco Mucho to a 27-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-19 victory over Nxled in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil Arena in San Juan.

Laure came alive in the fourth frame and helped the Flying Titans eclipse a 15-9 deficit to seal their first streak of the year and a third triumph overall in as many defeats.

The spiking laureate struggled in the first three and a half sets but found her rhythm in time, unloading nine of her 13 points in that momentous fourth set that sent the Chameleons slumping to 3-3.

Sisi Rondina did most of the heavy lifting and paced all scorers with 24 points, while presiding over the Rebisco franchise’s floor defense with 20 receptions, another match best.

“I set my mind to really receive well in this game,” said Rondina.

It was Laure, however, who stepped up when Choco Mucho needed it most.

Down by two sets, Brooke Van Sickle found her old, deadly form after a sputtery start and rallied Nxled to seize the third set, a 15-9 advantage in the fourth and what appeared like momentum for a chance at sending the duel to a final set.

But just as when it was looking to go into a decider, Laure woke up from slumber and delivered kills after kills she was known and acquired for and willed the Flying Titans back in sealing the deal.

Kat Tolentino chipped in 15 hits.

Van Sickle continued to lead her team with 20 points, but she just couldn’t do it alone.