Laure to the rescue

MANILA, Philippines — When the chips were down, Choco Mucho went to Eya Laure.

For a critical stretch in the fourth set, the power-hitting Alas Pilipinas standout was at her best in lifting Choco Mucho to a 27-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-19 victory over Nxled yesterday in the PVL All-Filipino Conference at the Filoil Arena.

Laure came alive in the fourth frame and helped the Flying Titans eclipse a 15-9 deficit to seal their third triumph 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 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.