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Tag: Choco Mucho Flying Titans

  • PVL Play-In Begins: Six teams fight for Final Four spots

    PVL Play-In Begins: Six teams fight for Final Four spots

    The long grind of the preliminaries has officially lost its value. What once separated contenders from pretenders now carries little weight as the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference shifts into its most unforgiving phase.

     

    The Play-In stage opens not as a continuation of the standings, but as a reset—one where reputations are tested, not protected. Six teams step into a format that strips away comfort and demands immediacy, where every rally can tilt the fate of an entire campaign.

     

    In this environment, there is no room for what came before.

     

    Recent wins, like those secured by the Capital1 Solar Spikers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, offer no guarantees. If anything, they serve as reminders of how thin the margins are. Capital1 needed to fend off a determined push from the Galeries Tower Highrisers, while Choco Mucho handled the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in four sets—but both results came in matches where momentum could have easily swung the other way.

     

    That uncertainty now becomes the defining theme. Capital1 continues to draw strength from Bella Belen, whose scoring touch has returned at the right time. Yet even her presence doesn’t eliminate the threat posed by Galeries Tower, a team that has shown enough depth and balance to turn a close match into an upset with just a few cleaner sequences.

     

    “Well, of course they will study us and we have to do the same. And since the game is really on Tuesday, the first part is study and rest. But you know they have a lot of potential to be explored on the other side. 

     

    So we’re gonna see what we can counter attack. But for sure, it’s time to go,” said Capital1 head coach Jorge Souza de Brito after the Solar Spikers subdued the Highrisers last Saturday.

     

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    On the other side, Choco Mucho brings star power and offensive firepower led by Sisi Rondina, but the unpredictability of ZUS Coffee lingers as a dangerous variable. In knockout settings, structure can quickly give way to chaos—and teams that embrace that chaos often find ways to extend their run.

     

    “Sa panalo na to, syempre sobrang ganda para samin. Extra motivation para sa paghaharap namin ulit sa kanila, mas may dala-dala at may paghuhugutan kami na kaya namin dominahin sila ngayong game,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

     

    “At yun pa, kung ano pa yung pwede naming adjustment para sa game, siguro gagawin namin sa training,” he added.

     

    The structure of the Play-In only amplifies the pressure. Survive one knockout match, and another immediately follows. There is no easing into rhythm, no time to recover. Each win simply earns the right to face a fresher, waiting opponent.

     

    The winners of the opening clashes will move forward to face higher-seeded teams, with either Capital1 or Galeries Tower set to take on the Nxled Chameleons, and either Choco Mucho or ZUS Coffee advancing to meet the Akari Power Chargers. Only after navigating that gauntlet will a team secure a crack at the final semifinal berths.

     

    Waiting ahead are the league’s top four: the PLDT High Speed Hitters, Cignal HD Spikers, Creamline Cool Smashers, and Farm Fresh Foxies, who will battle separately for outright Final Four spots. Even then, nothing is settled—the losers of those matchups will drop into another sudden-death encounter against the Play-In survivors.

     

    It creates a layered postseason where advantage exists, but safety does not.

    For teams emerging from the Play-In, the path is undeniably harder, but it also forges something different. They arrive battle-tested, sharpened by pressure, and accustomed to playing with everything on the line.

     

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  • Kim Kianna Dy admits struggles against Sisi Rondina in PLDT’s win

    Kim Kianna Dy admits struggles against Sisi Rondina in PLDT’s win

    The PLDT High Speed Hitters have opened their 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference campaign in dominant fashion, compiling an impressive 7–1 record to sit atop the standings early in the tournament. With a blend of veteran leadership and disciplined system play, PLDT has quickly established itself as one of the teams to beat in this conference.

     

    The High Speed Hitters sustained their strong run in their most recent outing, overcoming the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in four sets, 23–25, 25–21, 25–19, 25–19, at the FilOil EcoOil Centre on Saturday, March 14. After dropping a tightly contested opening set, PLDT showed composure and resilience, making key adjustments on both ends of the floor to take control of the match and secure the win.

     

    Despite the victory, PLDT star Kianna Dy acknowledged the challenge posed by one of the league’s most explosive players, Sisi Rondina. A former PVL Most Valuable Player, Rondina once again proved why she remains one of the most feared attackers in the league, finishing with 23 points built on 20 attacks and three service aces.

     

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    Dy admitted that Rondina’s offensive firepower initially caught them off guard, forcing PLDT to regroup and make in-game adjustments after the opening set.

    “Kasi nung first set talaga wala akong makapa kay Sisi. As in ang taas, ang lakas. So really had to adjust, kasi kung hindi kami makaka-adjust, medyo baka mag-uba ‘yung results,” Dy said in the postmatch press conference.

     

    After struggling to contain Rondina early, the High Speed Hitters tightened their defensive schemes, showing improved timing on their blocks and better floor coverage. Their adjustments paid off as they limited Rondina’s efficiency in the latter sets while maintaining consistent scoring on their end.

     

    Head coach Rald Ricafort emphasized that facing a player of Rondina’s caliber inevitably comes with challenges. He noted that the key lies not in completely stopping such a high-level scorer, but in staying patient, disciplined, and committed to the team’s system.

     

    “Yun na yun, bibigay mo talaga yung mga hindi maabot, yung mga sobrang lakas. Pero more on talaga sa patience ng naba-block. Yun, at yun naman ang ibibigay namin sa kanya, kaya tinake na lang namin yung mga pwedeng kunin at siguraduhing hindi mawawala sa syatem na gusto namin para sa kanya,” Ricafort added.

     

    PLDT’s ability to weather early pressure and execute adjustments underscores the maturity and cohesion within the squad. Their balanced attack and defensive discipline have been central to their success so far, allowing them to respond effectively against top-tier competition.

     

    As the All-Filipino Conference progresses, the High Speed Hitters will aim to sustain their momentum and hold on to the top spot, with tougher matchups expected ahead. If their current form is any indication, PLDT appears well-equipped to remain a strong contender deep into the tournament.

     

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  • PLDT claims solo PVL lead as Farm Fresh outlasts Choco Mucho in five-set battle

    PLDT claims solo PVL lead as Farm Fresh outlasts Choco Mucho in five-set battle

    Two matches, two very different stories unfolded Tuesday night in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, but both carried major implications for the league standings.


    At the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City, the PLDT High Speed Hitters continued their steady climb toward the top of the leaderboard, while Farm Fresh finally found redemption in a tense five-set battle against Choco Mucho.

     

    The High Speed Hitters showed their composure and firepower in sweeping Galeries Tower, 25-18, 25-22, 25-17, a victory that propelled them to the solo lead in the standings with a 6-1 record. The win allowed PLDT to move ahead of sister team Cignal and strengthen its case as one of the early favorites in the tournament.

     

    The result also extended PLDT’s current momentum, marking their third consecutive victory since their earlier three-game winning streak was snapped by Cignal in a three-set defeat.

     

    Savannah Davison spearheaded the charge with 21 points, consistently delivering on offense whenever Galeries Tower attempted to close the gap. Mika Reyes added 10 markers, while Malaluan chipped in nine to round out a balanced attack that kept the Highrisers on the defensive throughout the match.

     

    For Galeries Tower, the loss deepened a rough stretch in their campaign. The Highrisers slipped to their third straight defeat since their upset win against Nxled on Feb. 19, leaving them ninth in the 10-team standings with a 2-5 record.

     

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    Jean Asis led Galeries Tower with nine points, but the team struggled to generate consistent scoring as no player managed to reach double digits. Gayle Pascual finished with eight markers, while Aiza Pontillas and Erika Deloria contributed seven points each.

     

    If the first match was about control, the second game was all about survival.

     

    Farm Fresh and Choco Mucho engaged in a gripping back-and-forth contest that stretched the evening into a dramatic fifth set. After trading momentum through the first four frames, the Foxies surged late to claim a hard-earned 21-25, 25-22, 16-25, 25-18, 15-9 victory.

     

    In recent weeks, the Foxies had been on the wrong end of grueling marathon matches, falling short against Capital1 and PLDT. This time, however, the team finally broke through, showing the poise that had previously eluded them in extended battles.

     

    Molina led the effort with 17 points while delivering an all-around performance that included 13 digs and 13 receptions to complete a triple-double. Tubino added 14 points, while Riri Meneses contributed 10, including two crucial blocks that helped steady Farm Fresh during pivotal stretches.

     

    Their combined efforts gave the Foxies the late push they needed to seal the deciding set and snap their frustrating run in tight contests.

     

    Choco Mucho, meanwhile, leaned heavily on its offensive stars in the tough defeat. Kat Tolentino and Cherry Ann Rondina both delivered 22 points for the Flying Titans, while Laure contributed 15 points in an on-and-off appearance. Lorraine Pecana and Des Cheng added seven and six markers, respectively.

     

    Despite the strong scoring output, the Flying Titans could not hold off Farm Fresh’s late surge in the deciding set.

     

    By the end of the night, the standings had shifted and narratives had changed. PLDT walked away firmly planted at the top of the league, while Farm Fresh left the court with renewed confidence after finally conquering a five-set battle.

     

     

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  • PLDT eyes solo PVL lead, Choco Mucho targets third straight win as prelim action resumes

    PLDT eyes solo PVL lead, Choco Mucho targets third straight win as prelim action resumes

    Momentum will be on the line when the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference resumes Tuesday at the FilOil Playtime Centre, with PLDT and Choco Mucho both looking to build on their recent surge.

     

    The High Speed Hitters and the Flying Titans enter the day with renewed confidence after strong performances in their previous matches, but each will have to navigate opponents desperate to reverse their fortunes before the preliminary round winds down.

     

    PLDT, currently holding a 5-1 record, has a chance to seize the solo lead when it squares off with the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the 4 p.m. opener.

     

    A victory would push the High Speed Hitters past sister team Cignal at the top of the standings as the race toward the closing stretch of the single-round preliminaries tightens.

     

    The High Speed Hitters bounced back strongly after seeing their three-game winning streak halted by the Super Spikers. They responded with a dominant straight-sets win over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles before grinding out a five-set victory against the Farm Fresh Foxies.

     

    That stretch highlighted the depth that has made PLDT one of the most formidable squads in the conference.

     

    Savi Davison and Kim Dy remain the focal points of the attack, while middle blockers Mika Reyes and Majoy Baron continue to provide a strong presence at the net. The High Speed Hitters also benefit from a deep supporting cast that includes Jessey de Leon, Alleiah Malaluan, Jovie Prado, and Kiesha Bedonia.

     

    Still, PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort stressed that rankings mean little in a league where any team can rise on a given day.

     

    “Well, ang mindset naman this conference regardless kung sino kalaban, kung ano ‘man yung ranking nila, wala na magiging basis eh kung ano yung magiging laro,” said Ricafort.

     

    “Kita nyo naman yung kanina, kita nyo rin yung ibang games, kahit sino talaga so ang nagiging challenge ko nalang talaga sa players regardless ng results mabilis mag-move on and magprepare ulit sa susunod na laro,” he added.

     

    Galeries Tower, which holds a 2-4 record, will be eager to halt a two-game skid after absorbing losses to Choco Mucho and Creamline. The Highrisers previously pulled off a surprise victory against Nxled and remain capable of challenging stronger teams.

     

    Coach Clarence Esteban is expected to rely on key contributors such as Jean Asis, Aiza Pontillas, Erika Deloria, Roselle Baliton, Erika Raagas, Gayle Pascual, Lycha Ebon, and setter Julia Coronel to keep the match competitive.

     

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    In the evening showdown at 6:30 p.m., Choco Mucho hopes to keep its own surge going when it faces Farm Fresh.

     

    The Flying Titans appear to have rediscovered their rhythm after dealing with injuries in past conferences. Their recent form has been fueled by the scoring partnership of Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, whose consistent production has lifted the team to fourth place in the standings.

     

    Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin emphasized that the team must continue putting in the work to maintain its momentum.

     

    “Siyempre tatrabahuhin ulit namin. Ibibigay namin sa mga players namin kung ano ‘yung dapat naming gawin,” said Alinsunurin.

     

    Farm Fresh, however, has proven to be far from an easy opponent.

     

    Despite back-to-back losses — both coming in five-set battles — the Foxies have shown the ability to push contenders to the limit. Trisha Tubu remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers and will again lead the offense alongside Ces Molina, Royse Tubino, Mylene Paat, Riri Meneses, Rizza Cruz, and Jolina Dela Cruz. Veteran Ara Galang could also see increased minutes as the team searches for a breakthrough.

     

    With the top four teams advancing directly to the Qualifying Round, every result carries significant weight as the fight for positioning intensifies.

     

    For PLDT and Choco Mucho, the goal is clear — keep the momentum alive. But with their opponents equally motivated to change their trajectory, Tuesday’s twin bill promises to be anything but straightforward.

     

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  • Eya Laure embraces rare showdown with sister EJ across the net

    Eya Laure embraces rare showdown with sister EJ across the net

    For most players, Tuesday night at the Filoil EcoOil Centre was just another grind in the long stretch of the Premier Volleyball League season.

     

    For Eya Laure, it felt like a flashback — and a first — all at once.

     

    Across the net stood her sister, EJ Laure, no longer a teammate in the same huddle but a rival in different colors. When Choco Mucho Flying Titans outlasted Nxled Chameleons, 27-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-19, the box score told a story of clutch scoring and momentum swings. But beyond the numbers was something more personal — two sisters tracing diverging paths that began side by side.

     

    “Actually, namimiss ko siya kasama,” said Eya following the win.

     

    “Pero iba pala yung feeling kapag kalaban ko siya. Kasi last na nakalaban ko siya, parang high school pa ako, tas college na, nagtu-tune up kami.”

     

    They had grown used to sharing the same goals, the same systems, even the same professional beginnings after college. Years of familiarity built an instinct that doesn’t fade just because the jerseys change.

     

    “Masaya lang ako, masaya ako na sabay kaming nakakapaglaro until now. Nakakatuwa kasi siyempre, parang pagka nakikita ko siyang pumapalo, alam ko na kaagad kung saan siya pupunta e,” said the Alas Pilipinas standout.

     

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    That familiarity, ironically, became an edge.

     

    With Choco Mucho staring at a 9-15 deficit in the fourth set, Eya flipped the switch. She scored six of the team’s last 10 points, turning tension into separation and sealing the Flying Titans’ second straight victory. She finished with 13 points — all off attacks — in a two-hour duel that demanded both heart and endurance.

     

    EJ, limited to the first two sets, contributed three points for Nxled. Still, every exchange across the net carried weight beyond the rally.

     

    “Parang gano’n, sabi ko, gano’n ako ka-familiar sa ate ko. Na-miss ko rin kasi, siyempre, last namin, last kaming nagkasama, is last year? Last, last year. So ayun, parang iba lang yung feeling na ate mo yung kalaban mo,” Eya said.

     

    The night was not without its challenges. Eya managed an abdominal strain through the match, pushing through discomfort in a contest that was as emotional as it was physical. On her side of the net, though, she found comfort in another guiding presence — Sisi Rondina.

     

    “Pero buti na lang nandiyan si Ate Sisi sa side ko na ‘to tap. Kasi kung ano yung ginagawa ni Ate Sisi sa akin na pag-tap or pag-remind, yun yung ginagawa kasi ng ate ko before,” she said.

    “So ayun lang, masaya na marami akong ate sa paligid ko.”

     

    In a league defined by rivalries and rising stakes, this was a different kind of battle — one measured not just by points, but by shared history. On Tuesday, the Laure sisters stood on opposite sides of the net. But in many ways, they were still playing the same game they always have: pushing each other forward.

     

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  • Creamline reasserts control, Choco Mucho survives as PVL race tightens 

    Creamline reasserts control, Choco Mucho survives as PVL race tightens 

    Power and poise carried the day for the league’s heavyweights.

     

    At the Playtime Filoil Centre, the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference tightened even further Tuesday night as Creamline Cool Smashers and Choco Mucho Flying Titans delivered statements in contrasting but equally telling fashion.

     

    Creamline, wary of a brewing upset, slammed the door on Galeries Tower Highrisers, 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23, refusing to let momentum slip twice in the same night.

     

    The 10-time champions were reminded early that Galeries Tower would not simply fold. After cruising through the opening set, the Cool Smashers were stunned in the second as the Highrisers flipped the rhythm and forced extended rallies that took Creamline out of sync. But what followed in the fourth set was the clearest reflection of championship composure — a blistering 12-1 start that left no room for another surprise.

     

    Veteran steadiness proved decisive.

     

    Tots Carlos once again anchored the attack with 19 points and 13 digs, while Bernadeth Pons and Jema Galanza combined for 27 markers and relentless floor coverage. Pangs Panaga imposed herself in the middle with 11 points, including two timely blocks, and Jia de Guzman orchestrated the offense with 22 excellent sets that kept Creamline’s hitters in rhythm when the match threatened to tilt.

     

    Galeries Tower had its moments. Deloria and Asis provided consistent scoring, and the Highrisers trimmed a third-set deficit to just two at one point. But every push was met by a veteran response, including a crucial four-point run capped by a Panaga block that restored order.

     

    Creamline secured its fourth win and stayed firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish — a reminder that while challengers are rising, the champions remain difficult to unseat.

     

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    If Creamline’s victory was about control, Choco Mucho’s was about survival.

     

    The Flying Titans outlasted Nxled Chameleons, 27-25, 28-26, 16-25, 25-19, in a match that swung wildly before settling in their favor.

     

    It was a personal milestone for Eya Laure, who faced older sister EJ for the first time in league play. When the fourth set tightened, Eya delivered six of Choco Mucho’s final nine points in a decisive 16-4 closing tear that silenced Nxled’s comeback hopes.

     

    Sisi Rondina powered the charge with 24 points and 20 receptions, absorbing pressure in long exchanges and answering every late surge. Laure added 13 attack points, most coming in the pivotal fourth frame, while Kat Tolentino chipped in 15 markers. Deanna Wong dished out 23 excellent sets and Thang Ponce anchored the floor defense with 21 digs.

     

    “Sobrang happy ako sa naging performance ng team namin kasi ito naman talaga ‘yung hinahanap namin sa kanila kung paano talaga dapat maglaro,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

     

    The first two sets alone foreshadowed the drama. Choco Mucho squandered multiple set points in the opener before regaining composure, then survived another tense exchange in Set 2 that featured clutch hits, miscues, and momentum swings at the net. Nxled’s third-set explosion — a stunning 16-5 run after trailing early — briefly flipped the script and exposed cracks in the Flying Titans’ rhythm.

     

    But unlike in past outings, Choco Mucho steadied itself.

     

    For Nxled, the loss deepened a troubling slide. After opening the conference with three straight wins, the Chameleons have now dropped three in a row. Brooke Van Sickle’s 20-point, 18-reception effort and MJ Phillips’ steady production went unrewarded as late-game execution once again proved costly.

     

    With Creamline tightening its grip near the top and Choco Mucho climbing back to .500 at 3-3 alongside Nxled and Capital1, the middle of the standings is turning into a battleground.

     

    In a conference where momentum shifts quickly and contenders are tested nightly, Tuesday’s twin results reinforced one truth: experience still matters — but resilience might matter even more.

     

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  • PVL: Creamline to face upbeat Galeries Towers, as Nxled looks to rebound against rejuvenated Choco Mucho 

    PVL: Creamline to face upbeat Galeries Towers, as Nxled looks to rebound against rejuvenated Choco Mucho 

    Momentum in the Premier Volleyball League can be as fleeting as a single bad rotation.

     

    Just ask Creamline Cool Smashers, after stumbling early, the perennial contenders have rediscovered their rhythm, stacking three straight wins to reassert themselves in the thick of the All-Filipino Conference semifinal chase. Their offense has flowed cleaner, their defense has stiffened, and the aura that once made them the league’s standard bearer has quietly returned.

     

    But Tuesday offers no guarantees. Across the net stands Galeries Tower Highrisers — a team that has made unpredictability its calling card. Win, loss, win, loss — through five games, the Highrisers have refused to settle into a pattern. That volatility makes them dangerous, especially in a tournament where momentum shifts faster than the scoreboard can keep up.

     

    Creamline enters the 6:30 p.m. duel as the slight favorite, a status earned after emphatic responses to adversity. Following a straight-sets defeat to PLDT High Speed Hitters, the Cool Smashers bounced back with statement wins over Choco Mucho Flying Titans and ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in four sets, then flexed their depth in a sweep of Capital1 Solar Spikers.

     

    Yet labels mean little in this conference, Galeries Tower nearly carved out consecutive victories before letting a 2-1 set edge slip away against Choco Mucho in a five-set heartbreaker. 

     

    The Highrisers have shown they can ride the hot hands of Erika Deloria, Jean Asis and Gayle Pascual, while Aiza Pontillas and Roselle Baliton steady the floor and setter Julia Coronel orchestrates the offense. Their issue hasn’t been talent — it has been finishing.

     

    Creamline, by contrast, has leaned into its depth. Tots Carlos continues to be a reliable scoring outlet, Jema Galanza and Bernadette Pons bring balance on the wings, and the middle duo of Pangs Panaga and Bea de Leon fortify the net. The Cool Smashers are not overpowering opponents — they are outlasting them.

     

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    Still, head coach Sherwin Meneses knows better than to exhale too soon.

     

    “Malaking tulong ‘yung last game namin ngayon kasi medyo dikit siya. Ayun napagusapan nga namin sa team na kailangan namin i-sure ‘yung game ngayon kasi after this, magiging maganda ‘yung situation namin,” he said.

     

    “Knowing Galeries naman, talagang hindi ka rin pwede magpahinga or magbalewala kasi kita niyo naman ‘yung performance nila,” he added.

     

    If the main event promises tension, the 4 p.m. curtain-raiser carries just as much urgency.

     

    Choco Mucho (2-3) is attempting to stabilize after an uneven start. The return of Eya Laure — who poured in 18 points after recovering from a groin and abdominal strain — injected life into a squad that had dropped three straight. Her presence alone reshapes their attack and revives belief.

     

    Waiting on the other side is Nxled Chameleons, a team trying to rediscover the sharp edge that fueled a 3-0 opening surge. Consecutive four-set defeats to Galeries Tower and Akari Chargers have exposed lapses in cohesion. Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo and MJ Phillips remain productive, but the Chameleons’ early-season fluidity has dulled.

     

    Four weeks into the preliminaries, one theme dominates the All-Filipino Conference: no cushion is comfortable, and no reputation guarantees control. Leads evaporate. Runs reverse. Favorites wobble.

     

    In a race this tight, the margin between contender and casualty might come down to a single service error, a single block touch — or a single lapse in focus.

     

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  • Eya Laure credits rest for strong return in Choco Mucho skid-snapping win

    Eya Laure credits rest for strong return in Choco Mucho skid-snapping win

    For Eya Laure, Thursday night’s showdown at the FilOil Centre wasn’t just a statistical comeback, it was a personal renaissance. 


    After spending time on the sidelines, the dynamic 26‑year‑old winger returned with authority and helped Choco Mucho stop the skid that threatened to upend the Flying Titans’ PVL All‑Filipino Conference aspirations.

     

    Laure’s absence was felt deeply during Choco Mucho’s recent stumble through a three‑game losing stretch, which began after she aggravated her injury in a loss to Creamline. 

     

    Forced to sit out the pivotal five‑set duel versus Capital1, she watched as her teammates battled, but came up short, extending the Titans’ slump and casting a shadow over a promising start to the season.

     

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    But against Galeries Tower, Laure didn’t merely return — she breathed life into her squad. Delivering 18 points including 14 attacks, two aces, and two kill blocks while anchoring seven excellent receptions, she was instrumental in Choco Mucho’s gritty 26‑24, 20‑25, 22‑25, 25‑13, 15‑12 victory.

     

    Her performance helped avert what could have been an upset with deeper consequences for the Titans’ confidence and standings.

     

    “Malaking bagay na nakapagpahinga rin ako para makalaro ulit, kasi medyo nag‑struggle talaga ako after nung Creamline na game,” said Laure.

     

    Her candid reflection underscores the physical trials she has navigated while also highlighting the mental resilience that marked her performance. Despite the challenging experience with the injury, she remained among the top 10 best spikers and best receivers of the conference. 

     

    “I just returned to full ball workouts three days ago, and my rhythm is still coming back, but I’m glad I could perform at a high level despite the short preparation,” Laure said, acknowledging the adjustment she’s still making both on and off the court.

     

    With Laure regaining her stride, Choco Mucho looks better positioned to navigate and flow of what promises to be a tightly contested PVL season and the Flying Titans faithful are beginning to see the true value of her return.

     

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  • Choco Mucho regains form for second win after five-set thriller against Galeries Towers

    Choco Mucho regains form for second win after five-set thriller against Galeries Towers

    Momentum had been hard to find for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in recent outings, but on Thursday night, persistence finally paid off.

     

    With composure tested and energy stretched across five sets, Choco Mucho battled its way to a dramatic 26-24, 20-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-12 victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the Premier Volleyball League 2026 All-Filipino Conference at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

     

    Rather than a smooth breakthrough, the win came through tension-filled stretches and shifting momentum—exactly the kind of response the Flying Titans needed after dropping three straight matches.

     

    The turning point began in the deciding set, when Choco Mucho found itself trailing 5-8. Instead of forcing plays, the Flying Titans leaned on controlled execution and defensive discipline to chip away at the deficit. A quick scoring burst flipped the pressure to Galeries Tower, and from there, the match slowly tilted in Choco Mucho’s favor.

     

    The contest ended in an unusual fashion, as a net touch violation on Gayle Pascual during a live rally handed the final point—and the long-awaited relief—to the Flying Titans.

     

    The victory also marked the return of Eya Laure, whose presence stabilized the team’s offensive rhythm after missing two matches due to a minor leg injury. Laure finished with 18 points and seven receptions, gradually building her impact after a quiet start.

     

    “Lagi ko namang sinasabi kina ate [Sisi] kanina na pinaghirapan na naming makaabot ng fifth set so trabahuin na namin at i-keep namin ‘yung hustle na magtulungan sa isa’t isa,” said Laure.

     

    Choco Mucho initially looked in control early behind the clutch plays of team captain Des Cheng, who delivered timely attacks and service pressure in the opening frame. But Galeries Tower refused to fade, countering with improved floor defense and transition scoring in the next two sets.

     

    Erika Deloria and Jean Asis powered the Highrisers’ mid-match surge, exploiting scoring gaps to seize a two-sets-to-one advantage.

     

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    Facing another potential setback, the Flying Titans responded with their most dominant stretch of the match in the fourth set. Anchored by sharper passing and faster offensive tempo, Choco Mucho unleashed a massive run that forced a decider and completely reset the match’s energy.

     

    In the fifth set, the Flying Titans leaned on their veteran core. Sisi Rondina delivered an all-around performance with 18 points, 13 digs, and 11 receptions, while Lorraine Pecaña provided crucial scoring balance with 15 points highlighted by strong net defense and service pressure. Additional support came from Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Kat Tolentino as Choco Mucho maintained control late.

     

    Costly service errors from the Deloria-Asis combination ultimately opened the door for the Flying Titans to close out the match.

     

    With the result, both teams now sit at 2-3 in the standings—still searching for consistency, but for Choco Mucho, finally rediscovering belief after a hard-earned escape.

     

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  • Sisi Rondina urges patience amid Choco Mucho’s poor start in the All-Filipino Conference

    Sisi Rondina urges patience amid Choco Mucho’s poor start in the All-Filipino Conference

    The Choco Mucho Flying Titans are still searching for consistency early in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after dropping their first two assignments of the tournament, a start that has placed them fourth in the team standings.

     

    Their latest setback came at the hands of defending powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, who imposed their will in four sets, 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, on Tuesday, February 10, before a lively crowd of 12,600 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

     

    Choco Mucho showed flashes of promise, particularly in a tightly contested opening frame that saw both teams exchange momentum. However, Creamline’s poise and depth proved decisive down the stretch, allowing the Cool Smashers to maintain their dominance in one of the league’s most compelling rivalries.

     

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    Despite the slow start, Flying Titans star Sisi Rondina urged patience, emphasizing that the team remains a work in progress as it continues to adjust to new systems and rediscover its rhythm.

     

    “We tend to lose patience. There are times when we are starting to find our rhythm, but we forget that everything coach wants us to do is effective, we just don’t execute it. That’s what we need to focus on and learn,” Rondina said in the post match press conference.

     

    Rondina once again carried much of the offensive load for Choco Mucho, tallying 15 points while contributing 14 receptions in an all-around effort. But even her steady production was not enough to turn the tide against Creamline. The loss marked the Flying Titans’ 19th defeat in their last 20 meetings with the Cool Smashers, a lopsided stretch that continues to highlight Creamline’s firm grip on the rivalry.

    The 2023 PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP) is also navigating a personal transition. Fresh off a historic campaign at the Southeast Asian Games, where she captured a gold medal in beach volleyball alongside Bernadeth Pons for the Philippines, Rondina is in the midst of readjusting to the indoor game and the tactical demands of Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

     

    “Since I returned to indoor volleyball, I have learned a lot of new things from coach Dante, especially the new techniques he is adapting. That’s what we really need to work on, especially me, Eya, and the other spikers,” she added.

     

    Alinsunurin echoed his star player’s sentiments, stressing that system familiarity and composure in critical moments remain areas of improvement for the squad.

     

    “From our two losses, we clearly saw our mistakes. What we want to happen on the court was proven to be something we really have to execute, not just talk about. There were moments when we lost our patience, but like I said, it takes time to get what we want to see on the court, especially when we are out of system. We just need to adapt to whatever situation we are in at that moment.

     

    “This league is long and a lot can still happen – you can end up in the Final Four or fighting near the bottom. In situations like this, we really need to prove ourselves more in the coming games,” Alinsunurin stated.

     

    While the early losses have raised concerns, the Flying Titans remain confident that adjustments made now will pay dividends as the conference progresses. With a long schedule ahead and playoff positioning still far from settled, Choco Mucho has ample opportunity to regroup and build momentum.

     

    The Flying Titans will attempt to halt their skid and notch their first win of the conference when they take on the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Tuesday, February 17, at the FilOil Centre — a crucial match that could help reset their campaign and restore confidence moving forward.

     

     

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