In terms of strength in numbers, Choco Mucho had lesser compared to Rebisco.
After their faceoff in the 2021 Asian Women's Club Volleyball Championship, however, it was Choco Mucho that had the number that mattered most - the Philippines' first and, thus far, only win.
Digging deep and making full use of the edge in experience they had, Choco Mucho dropped Rebisco in four sets, 22-25, 25-17, 25-19, and 25-17 on Wednesday in the first classification match inside the Terminal 21 competition hall in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
After surrendering the opening salvo, Kalei Mau and middle blockers Ria Meneses and Dell Palomata had the quick counter for Choco Mucho and they convincingly claimed the second set. MJ Philips joined in on the fun in the next two sets, as they didn't allow their younger opponents from getting back into groove.
As always, Mau was brilliant throughout and wound up with 20 points, all but one from attacks, while Philips and Mylene Paat contributed 13 and 11 markers, respectively. Meneses and Palomata had the net on lock with a combined 18 points, seven coming from blocks.
Choco Mucho played the entire tournament with just 10 players, as it had to loan Majoy Baron and Kim Kianna Dy to Rebisco, which didn't have Aby Marano, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Eya Laure, and Ivy Lacsina right away due to health protocols.
While Rebisco was at full strength - and then some, with 14 in uniform - in the battle out of seventh-place, their inexperience proved to be a disadvantage. As Choco Mucho repeatedly went to Mau whenever it needed points, Rebisco was left looking for answers with Baron, Dy, Marano, and Manabat intentionally being played sparingly.
Faith Nisperos and Mhicaela Belen continued showing promise with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for Rebisco but their consistency clearly still has much room for improvement. Manabat, meanwhile, still had 11 markers though she sat out most of the fourth and final set.
Nonetheless, the mission to get the squad essentially composed of collegians has been accomplished. Even more, young Rebisco actually won two sets in the regional tournament, even as the curtain closes on their campaign.
On the other hand, Choco Mucho has one more match to play - a battle for fifth opposite Kazakhstan's Zhetysu on Thursday. In the two teams' match in the group stages, the Kazakhs blanked the Filipinas, 25-22, 25-19, 25-15.
Mau was the lone player in double-digits for the Philippines with 11 to her name.