MANILA – Choco Mucho and Akari resume their best-of-three quarterfinal series Thursday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

The Flying Titans take on the PLDT High Speed Hitters at 4 p.m. while the Chargers battle the Galeries Tower Highrisers at 6:30 p.m.

A win would send them straight to the Final Four, while a loss puts them at risk of elimination.

Choco Mucho pulled off a 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 win in Game 1 last March 15.

Skipper Sisi Rondina exploded with 31 points on 29 attacks and two aces, while Honey Rose Tubiano and Ma. Lina Molde added 20 and 11 points, respectively.

Rondina is expected to lead her team against the Savi Davison-led High Speed Hitters.

“I had some errors, especially in the fourth and third sets, that I need to clean up,” Davison said. “Hopefully, in Game 2, more players step up and put points on the board.”

Lending support to Davison are Erika Santos, Fiola Ceballos and Majoy Baron.

Meanwhile, Akari hopes to sustain its form to survive Galeries Tower.

Former National University standout Ivy Lacsina registered a career-high 28 points on 22 attacks and six kill blocks in their 21-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 15-11 victory in Game 1.

"We can’t afford to slow down just because we won Game 1. The job’s not done until we achieve our ultimate goal," said Lacsina, who will be supported by Eli Soyud, Grethcel Soltones, Fifi Sharma, Ezra Madrigal, Faith Nisperos, Camille Victoria and Steph Bustrillo.

Jewel Encarnacion, on the other hand, will banner Galeries Tower, which stunned third-seed Cignal in the qualifying round.

“Our coaches reminded us that despite the loss, we still pushed the game to five sets. We can’t let disappointment take over. We need to focus on the next game and fight for another chance,” said Encarnacion, who had 18 points, 18 receptions and 10 digs in Game 1. (PNA)