What began as a leap of faith from the United States to the Philippines has now come full circle for Tia Andaya.
The Filipino-American setter officially announced her departure from Choco Mucho on Wednesday, ending a journey that was fueled by a desire to reconnect with her roots and pursue a dream of eventually wearing the national team colors on the international stage.
“Maraming salamat, Choco, at maraming salamat, Philippines,” said the Filipino-American setter.
Andaya arrived in the country carrying both pedigree and promise. A product of Gonzaga University and Central Washington University, she entered the 2025 PVL Draft as one of the more intriguing prospects and was selected seventh overall by Choco Mucho.
But while the move opened the door to Philippine volleyball, carving out a larger role proved difficult.
The 25-year-old spent much of her stay learning behind veteran playmakers Deanna Wong and Alina Bicar, with opportunities coming sparingly across two conferences. Though her minutes were limited, Andaya remained part of a Flying Titans squad that consistently contended near the top of the league standings.
Her move to the Philippines was never solely about club volleyball.
Andaya also joined the Alas Pilipinas pool under then-head coach Jorge Souza de Brito, hoping to contribute to the national team program. Yet international competition remained out of reach as eligibility issues tied to her continued connection with USA Volleyball prevented her from representing the country in official FIVB-sanctioned events.
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Despite the obstacles, Andaya views her time in the Philippines as a meaningful chapter rather than an unfinished one.
“It truly was an unforgettable journey. The road wasn’t always smooth, but I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Andaya said.
“Thank you all for your support and love these past few years. Whether it was with Choco or Alas, it was an honor to play both with and for all of you.”
Her departure also comes as Choco Mucho enters a new phase at the setter position. The Flying Titans have already moved to reinforce their playmaking corps by selecting Tin Ubaldo with the No. 3 overall pick in the latest PVL Draft and bringing in veteran setter Ivy Perez through free agency ahead of the upcoming PVL On Tour.
For Andaya, however, the story is less about statistics and playing time and more about the experience of embracing a new home, reconnecting with Filipino fans, and chasing a dream that brought her across the Pacific.
Though her stay lasted only a season, the journey left an imprint on both player and supporters alike.
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