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Tag: PVL All-Filipino Conference

  • Roselle Baliton sparks Galeries Tower breakthrough in stunning upset of Nxled

    Roselle Baliton sparks Galeries Tower breakthrough in stunning upset of Nxled

    A signature win often arrives when a team needs belief the most—and for Galeries Tower Highrisers, that moment came behind the breakout performance of Roselle Baliton.


    Unshaken by the firepower of the previously surging Nxled Chameleons, Baliton turned the net into her territory, powering the Highrisers to a statement 25-19, 17-25, 25-20, 25-21 victory Thursday night in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    More than just an upset, the win hinted at a culture shift for a franchise long searching for consistency.

     

    Baliton anchored the defensive stand with seven kill blocks—part of a balanced stat line that included seven attacks and two aces in the one-hour, 53-minute battle that pushed Galeries Tower to a 2-2 record, keeping them within reach of their best elimination-round finish.

     

    “Ika nga, bilog ang bola, so ayun, laban lang,” said the 6-foot middle blocker after the win.

    For a player who has stayed with the team through rebuilding stretches and difficult losses, the performance carried deeper meaning than the numbers.

     

    Despite her standout showing, Baliton emphasized that the victory reflected collective growth rather than individual output.

     

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    “Ang ano naman, kumbaga team effort siya. So, doon kami nagtindig na namin na kung ano talaga yung kayang ibigay ng team na kapag nagtulong-tulong, nagsasabay-sabay na mga lumalagas talaga na kaya naman talaga,” she said.

     

    The Highrisers’ energy at the net disrupted Nxled’s rhythm throughout the match, turning what was expected to be a straightforward outing into a disciplined defensive showcase.

     

    Baliton admitted the result felt especially rewarding after nearly two years of grinding through setbacks with the squad.

     

    “Sobrang ano, sobrang nakakataba ng puso. Kumbaga, ang dami ng pinagdaanan ng team and kumbaga, start din ‘to ng magkaroon ng winning culture ‘yung team kasi nga for the longest time, maraming napagdaanan ‘yung team,” she said.

     

    “So kumbaga napapatunayan din namin na kung ano ‘yung pinapakita namin sa training, lumalabas din.”

     

    The victory also reflected the system-first approach the team has been steadily building under a revamped roster and coaching structure.

     

    “Kumbaga, talagang bini-build namin ‘yun paunti-unti sa training, nagsa-start sa training. ‘Yun din, most of our teammates bago na, lahat ng coaches, ganun din,” said Baliton, a product of University of the East.

     

    “Nag-stick lang din kami [sa system] or kung nawawala ‘man, bumabalik lang din kami dun sa kung ano ‘yung mga tinuturo sa training po.”

     

    While the standings remain tight and the road ahead uncertain, Galeries Tower now carries something far more valuable than momentum—a reminder that their progress is beginning to translate into results.

     

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  • Nxled, PLDT aim to stay perfect in Thursday PVL AFC double-header 

    Nxled, PLDT aim to stay perfect in Thursday PVL AFC double-header 

    The early stretch of the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference is quickly turning into a race not just for wins, but for positioning—and more importantly, for the shortest route to the semifinals.

     

    Two teams currently dictating that pace, Nxled Chameleons and PLDT High Speed Hitters, look to tighten their grip on momentum when they take on separate opponents Thursday at the FilOil Playtime Centre.

     

    With the tournament using a single-round preliminary format, every victory carries amplified value—particularly for teams eyeing the coveted outright semifinal berth that eliminates the risk of crossover matchups.

     

    Nxled steps into the spotlight in the 6:30 p.m. clash against the Galeries Tower Highrisers, carrying a three-match winning streak built on balance, depth, and system discipline.

     

    Rather than relying on a single dominant scorer, the Chameleons have evolved into a multi-threat unit. The championship-tested trio of Brooke Van Sickle, Myla Pablo, and MJ Phillips continues to provide stability, while Nxled’s supporting cast has transformed the squad into one of the most structurally sound teams in the field.

     

    Their straight-sets takedown of the Cignal HD Spikers served as proof that the Chameleons’ rise is no longer a projection—it’s already happening.

     

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    Coach Ettore Guidetti understands that consistency, not highlight wins, will ultimately determine their ceiling.

     

    “We just know every single game, we have a big target on our back,” said Guidetti.

     

    Nxled’s deep rotation has allowed them to maintain intensity across sets—an advantage that could prove decisive against a Galeries Tower side still searching for rhythm. Despite a slow start, the Highrisers remain capable of pushing matches into uncomfortable territory if veterans like Aiza Pontillas rediscover their scoring form.

     

    Earlier in the day, PLDT faces the Akari Chargers in a 4 p.m. duel that carries similar implications.

    The High Speed Hitters are coming off statement victories over the Creamline Cool Smashers and Capital1 Solar Spikers—wins that reinforced their identity as one of the league’s most physically imposing squads.

     

    Powered by the scoring punch of Savi Davison and Kim Dy, along with a towering middle rotation anchored by Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes, PLDT has leaned heavily on its net dominance to control matches.

     

    Still, head coach Rald Ricafort emphasized the importance of sustaining the mindset that fueled their recent surge.

     

    “Kailangan naming mag-regroup agad. Galing kami sa panalo, pero dapat maayos ang mindset namin at maintindihan na kailangan pa ring paghirapan ang susunod na laban,” said Ricafort.

    Akari, despite its winless start, enters with renewed optimism after Ivy Lacsina erupted for 24 points in their most recent outing. With additional support from Grethcel Soltones and Eli Soyud, the Chargers remain a dangerous spoiler if they can sustain their offensive rhythm.

     

    As the preliminaries begin to separate contenders from the chasing pack, Nxled and PLDT aren’t just trying to win—they’re trying to avoid the long road.

     

    And in a conference where momentum can flip quickly, the shortest path may prove to be the most valuable prize of all.

     

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  • Bella Belen pulls away in PVL scoring race after 29-point masterclass

    Bella Belen pulls away in PVL scoring race after 29-point masterclass

    Mhicaela “Bella” Belen isn’t just leading the PVL scoring race — she’s redefining it game by game.

    Fresh off being named Ms. Volleyball at the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Awards, the National University legend has translated that recognition into pure production in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

     

    Belen currently tops the Best Scorers list with 106 total points, built on 96 spikes, 7 blocks, and 3 aces — a commanding margin over second-running Cherry Ann Rondina, who has 73.

     

    But the numbers only tell part of the story.

     

    In Capital1’s recent five-set thriller against Choco Mucho at the Filoil Centre in San Juan, Belen delivered a masterclass — unloading 29 points, matching her UAAP career-high, to power the Solar Spikers to a 25-21, 18-25, 25-18, 19-25, 15-10 victory.

     

    It wasn’t just another big night. It was historic for her young pro career.

     

    The 29-point eruption marked a new PVL-best for Belen, surpassing the previous career-high she set just days earlier against PLDT. It also extended her streak to four straight 20-point performances this conference — a statement of consistency rarely seen from a rookie adjusting to the professional level.

     

    That PLDT game, however, showed the other side of her scoring brilliance.

     

    Belen dropped 28 points in that outing — her best scoring output at the time — but the Solar Spikers fell short as the High Speed Hitters flexed their strength at the net to claim a 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17 victory.

     

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    Even in defeat, Belen’s production stood out. She has proven capable of carrying the offensive load whether Capital1 is celebrating or regrouping.

     

    Through the early stretch of the conference, her scoring has not only been explosive — it has been sustained. Four straight 20-point games. A career-high 29. A 28-point follow-up in a tough loss.

     

    And a league-leading total that puts clear separation between her and the rest of the field.

    Trailing Belen in the scoring race is Cherry Ann Rondina of Choco Mucho with 73 points, followed by Chinnie Arroyo of ZUS Coffee with 67. Farm Fresh’s Trisha Tubu is close behind with 64 markers, while Erika Mae Santos of Cignal rounds out the top five with 61 points — all chasing a sizable gap set by the Solar Spikers’ star.

     

    For now, Belen isn’t just ahead — she’s in control.

     

    The PSA recognition honored her past achievements. Her current PVL run suggests she’s building something even bigger.

     

    Belen looks to add to her tally and further  the gap against Creamline on Saturday, at 4PM at the FilOil Centre in San Juan City. 

     

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  • Creamline is winning — but not there yet says Jia De Guzman 

    Creamline is winning — but not there yet says Jia De Guzman 

    Winning hasn’t masked the truth inside the Creamline camp — and they’re not pretending it has.

    At 2-1 in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, the Cool Smashers are back in the win column after dropping their opener to PLDT. 

     

    On paper, back-to-back victories over Choco Mucho and ZUS Coffee suggest stability. On the court, however, Creamline knows it’s still searching for rhythm.

     

    The ZUS Coffee match told the story clearly. Creamline opened flat, surrendered the first set, and looked momentarily unsure of itself. Then the switch flipped. The Cool Smashers imposed their will in the next three sets to pull away, 22-25, 25-17, 25-16, 25-18. It was clinical — eventually. But it also highlighted the gap between potential and performance.

     

    And no one articulated that better than Jia De Guzman.

     

    “Despite our wins, we sometimes put ourselves in unnecessary tough situations,” she said, adding that the team is focused on improving its chemistry to play more cohesively.

     

    For De Guzman, this conference isn’t just about standings. It’s about reintegration and recalibration. After nearly three years away — including a stint with Denso Airybees in Japan’s S.V. League and duties with Alas Pilipinas — the eight-time PVL Best Setter is rediscovering timing, trust, and tempo with a group that has evolved during her absence.

     

    “Ako personally, hindi pa. Hindi pa ito yun,” said De Guzman, who returned to the squad to start the conference after nearly three years, during which she spent time with Denso Airybees in the Japan S.V. League and later with Alas Pilipinas.

     

    “I think there are still a lot of times na we put ourselves in hard situations na hindi naman talaga dapat. Like coach said nga, maraming beses na yung effort talaga namin at yung kagustuhan naming manalo, nagdi-dictate kung ano yung nangyayari sa laro,” she added.

     

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    “And a lot of times, today and the past games, nagsa-stop kami. So, yun yung tina-try naming ayusin din as a team.”

     

    It’s a rare admission from a dynasty built on precision. Creamline’s identity has long been rooted in control — dictating pace, limiting errors, closing teams out before they can breathe. But this version of the Cool Smashers is learning in real time, winning through turbulence instead of avoiding it.

     

    De Guzman’s stat line against ZUS Coffee — 25 excellent sets and 10 points from six attacks, two kill blocks, and two aces — reflects production. Yet even that comes with self-critique.

     

    “I think, regarding my performance, I still see a lot of lapses. Maraming sitwasyon nga, like coach mentioned, na we could’ve controlled better, we made a lot of errors. Pero, thankfully, natuto kami and naihabol naman namin,” said De Guzman.

     

    What stands out is not frustration, but awareness.

     

    Creamline is no longer chasing perfection in February. It is building toward something heavier — cohesion forged through adversity rather than dominance alone. These are not the smooth, effortless wins of a team already in sync. They are the gritty, instructional victories of a group rebuilding its internal wiring.

     

    And strangely, that may be more dangerous for the rest of the league.

     

    “But, as a team, I’m really proud of how we performed. Kasi, ito yung kinds of games na natututo kami gumalaw as one. Parang dito kami nagbi-build ng chemistry,” she said.

     

    “Dito kami nakaka-face ng adversity and kung paano namin iha-handle talaga as one team. So, thankfully talaga, the win went our way.”

     

    Creamline is winning — but it knows it hasn’t arrived.

     

    For a team used to setting the standard, that honesty might be the first real sign that its peak form is still loading.

     

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  • PLDT stays unbeaten, outduels Bella Belen’s 28-point night

    PLDT stays unbeaten, outduels Bella Belen’s 28-point night

    If the early stretch of the 2025 PVL All-Filipino Conference is any indication, PLDT is not relying on a single superstar to carry the load.

     

    The High Speed Hitters are building something more sustainable — rhythm, balance, and defensive bite.

     

    On Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre, PLDT showcased that identity in a four-set win over Capital1, 25-20, 25-16, 22-25, 25-17. It was their second straight convincing victory to open the tournament, proof that their dismantling of a full-strength Creamline side a week ago was no fluke.

     

    At the center of it all was Kim Fajardo, orchestrating like a seasoned conductor. Her 25 excellent sets ensured that PLDT’s offense never stagnated. The ball moved with purpose. The attacks came from different angles. Capital1 could not lock in on just one threat.

     

    Savi Davison and Kianna Dy made sure of that.

     

    Davison once again delivered across multiple fronts, finishing with 20 points on 17 attacks while adding 11 receptions — a two-way presence that kept the Solar Spikers guessing. Dy matched her output with 20 markers of her own, hammering 16 spikes and rejecting four attempts at the net.

    And when PLDT smells separation, it strikes quickly.

     

    After a competitive opening set, the High Speed Hitters ripped the match open with an 8-1 surge in the second frame. What was once a slim 8-5 lead ballooned into a commanding 16-6 cushion. From there, the tone shifted. PLDT wasn’t just scoring — it was dictating. 

     

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    Still, Capital1 had Bella Belen, now the league’s leading scorer refused to fade quietly, unloading nine points in the third set alone to extend the match. By the end of the night, she tallied a conference-best 28 points, all but two from attacks, while also contributing 12 receptions. Through three games, she is averaging 25.67 points — elite production despite her team’s struggles.

     

    But this contest highlighted a telling contrast.

     

    While Belen shone individually, PLDT thrived collectively, Majoy Baron chipped in 11 points, including five of the team’s 15 blocks, as the High Speed Hitters turned the net into a wall. Aside from Belen, Capital1 struggled to find consistent offense against PLDT’s suffocating defensive schemes, only Shaya Adorador was the other Solar Spiker who scored double-digits with 13. 

    The fourth set became a statement. Order was restored. Control reestablished. Momentum preserved.

     

    With the victory, PLDT improved to 2-0 and moved into a tie for second with Nxled in the conference’s early standings. More importantly, they reinforced a blueprint that travels well in long tournaments: diversified scoring, disciplined defense, and a steady hand at setter.

     

    If the High Speed Hitters continue to win the battle of balance over brilliance, they won’t just be early contenders — they’ll be built for the grind of the entire conference.

     

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  • Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos shine as Cignal remains unbeaten in PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos shine as Cignal remains unbeaten in PVL All-Filipino Conference

    Cignal Super Spikers are off to a flying start in the PVL All-Filipino Conference, boasting a perfect 3-0 record, and much of the credit goes to the team’s dynamic duo: Vanessa Gandler and Erika Mae Santos. 


    Both players have made a strong statement, ranking among the league’s top five scorers while also breaking into the top 10 best spikers list, demonstrating not just firepower but also remarkable efficiency and versatility.

     

    Gandler leads the Super Spikers with 55 points so far this season. The 5-foot-9 outside spiker has tallied 51 spikes on 148 attempts, converting 34.46% of her attacks with zero faults, complemented by four additional points from other shots. 

     

    Santos is right behind with 46 points, converting 38 spikes out of 108 attempts for a 35.19% success rate, along with six faults and two successful shots. Together, their 101 points account for the backbone of Cignal’s offense, underscoring their central role in the team’s unbeaten start.

     

    Cignal opened the season with a dominant 3-0 sweep over Galeries Tower HighRisers, taking sets 25-17, 25-14, and 25-11. Gandler contributed 14 points, combining precise spikes and strong floor coverage, while Santos added 13 points, using her quick attacks and blocks to keep the HighRisers off balance.

     

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    In their second game against powerhouse Choco Mucho, the Super Spikers showed resilience in a 3-1 win (25-20, 18-19, 25-16, 25-25). Gandler tallied 16 points, delivering sharp attacks from the wings and solid passing that kept Cignal’s offense fluid. Santos turned in one of her standout performances, scoring 18 points, including two blocks and two aces, demonstrating her all-around threat at the net.

     

    Their latest win came against Farm Fresh, another 3-1 victory with sets of 17-25, 24-28, 25-20, and 28-30. Gandler’s triple-double performance stole the spotlight with 25 points, 14 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions, showing why she’s a nightmare for opposing defenses. Santos contributed 15 points with two blocks, consistently applying pressure at the net and keeping the team’s rhythm intact.

     

    Beyond their scoring, both players have been critical in other areas—Gandler’s court vision and defensive coverage, combined with Santos’ timing in blocks and efficient spike conversion, make them a well-rounded duo few teams can contain. Santos ranks seventh among the best spikers this conference, while Gandler is eighth, reinforcing their status as elite attackers.

     

    With Gandler and Santos leading the way, Cignal has established itself as a formidable team this season. 

     

    Their combination of scoring, attacking efficiency, and defensive contributions has been the driving force behind Cignal’s perfect 3-0 record, making the Super Spikers a squad to watch as the PVL All-Filipino Conference heats up, the Super Spikers will look to extend their streak against the Nxled Chameleons this Saturday scheduled for 6:30PM. 

     

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  • PLDT tests its momentum against Capital1

    PLDT tests its momentum against Capital1

    Early statements are easy to make. Sustaining them is another matter entirely.

     

    PLDT has already sent a message in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference. The High Speed Hitters didn’t just beat multi-titled Creamline — they dismantled them in straight sets. It was the kind of win that turns heads and shifts expectations. But inside the PLDT camp, the mood isn’t celebratory. It’s calculated.

     

    In a tournament where parity reigns and every roster can threaten an upset, momentum is only as strong as the next performance.

     

    On Thursday at the FilOil Playtime Centre in San Juan, PLDT faces a different kind of challenge. Not the aura of a dynasty — but the unpredictability of youth and firepower. Capital1, bannered by one of the league’s most electrifying young scorers in Bella Belen, stands in the way of a second straight victory that could vault the High Speed Hitters into a share of second place.

     

    If the Creamline win showcased PLDT’s ceiling, this matchup will test its stability.

     

    Savi Davison was brilliant in that signature triumph, erupting for 26 points while delivering 11 excellent digs and 10 receptions in a rare triple-double display. But even in a performance that could easily stand alone as a headline act, the Fil-Canadian spiker pointed elsewhere.

     

    “I couldn’t have done it alone. Everyone showed up – our fans, our players, our coaches,” she said. “I’m just glad we were able to work together and get it done in three sets.”

     

    That collective spirit defined PLDT’s showing. Kim Dy and Jovie Prado stretched the floor from the wings. Majoy Baron and Mika Reyes locked down the middle. Kim Fajardo conducted the offense with the calm of a veteran who has seen the conference grind before. The High Speed Hitters didn’t overpower Creamline — they out-executed them.

     

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    And that may be their true identity this season: a team built not on singular brilliance, but on synchronized intent.

     

    Still, Thursday’s opponent offers a contrasting narrative.

     

    Capital1 is growing in real time. The Solar Spikers’ campaign has revolved around Belen’s explosive scoring touch. She opened her professional stretch with 26 points in a four-set win over ZUS Coffee, then followed it with 23 markers against Nxled, even in a straight-set defeat. Whether attacking in transition, tooling the block off high balls, ripping cross-court angles or striking from the backrow, Belen has proven capable of bending defenses.

     

    More than the numbers, though, is her composure. Despite carrying the offensive burden, she has adapted quickly to tighter defensive schemes and more physical matchups.

     

    With Shaya Adorador, Ezra Madrigal, Pauline Gaston and Ysa Jimenez reinforcing the rotation, and middle blockers Cherry Nunag and France Ronquillo providing size at the net, Capital1 is steadily settling into coach Jorge de Brito’s system. Their stumble against the Chameleons revealed areas to polish — but their opening statement win showed they can disrupt anyone’s rhythm.

     

    Thursday’s 4 p.m. duel could easily morph into a showcase between Davison and Belen — established force versus ascending star. Yet the outcome may hinge less on the headline scorers and more on which side controls the margins: serve receive, transition defense, and bench production.

     

    In a league where the gap between contender and spoiler is razor-thin, depth often decides what star power cannot.

     

    The nightcap at 6:30 p.m. brings its own urgency as ZUS Coffee and Akari hunt for stability.

    Akari enters with the benefit of rest, having not seen action since Jan. 31. The pause offered time to recalibrate, and coach Tina Salak hopes the reset translates into sharper execution from Grethcel Soltones, Ivy Lacsina, Faith Nisperos, Fifi Sharma, Ced Domingo and Eli Soyud. For a squad chasing its first win, fresh legs could be a quiet advantage.

     

    On the other side, the Thunderbelles are navigating turbulence. Without injured middle blocker AC Miner, they’ve absorbed consecutive losses to Capital1 and Galeries Tower. Yet belief remains intact. The pieces are there — they simply need alignment.

     

    If the opening weeks of the conference have proven anything, it’s that reputations hold little weight once the whistle blows. Every match is an examination of adjustments. Every set is a recalibration.

     

    PLDT’s statement has already been made. Now comes the harder task — repeating it.

     

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  • Vanie Gandler shakes off illness to fuel Cignal’s perfect 3-0 start 

    Vanie Gandler shakes off illness to fuel Cignal’s perfect 3-0 start 

    Even while battling gastroenteritis just a day before tip-off, Vanie Gandler refused to let illness sideline her. The 25-year-old outside spiker emerged as the driving force behind Cignal’s hard-earned 3-0 start in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference, powering past a resilient Farm Fresh team at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

     

    “Right after practice yesterday, I went to the clinic to get meds,” Gandler shared. “My number one priority was to be able to eat so that I have enough energy today. I just took the meds, I rested, and thankfully I was able to play.”

     

    The Alas Pilipinas standout didn’t just play—she dominated. Gandler recorded 25 points on 24 attacks and one ace, while also contributing 14 excellent digs and 15 excellent receptions, completing a massive triple-double that underscored her all-around influence.

     

    “I just think of any way I can contribute to the team. So, if I’m in the front row, with scoring, and [when I’m in the] back row, defense. I don’t really think of the stats. It’s just where else I can help with the team to get this win,” Gandler said, demonstrating the selflessness that has become central to Cignal’s early success.

     

    The 5-foot-9 spiker has steadily been Cignal’s cornerstone, contributing 14 points in their victory over Galeries Tower and 16 against Choco Mucho, all while growing into a leader both on and off the court.

     

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    “I’m really proud of my team because we work really hard and we really try our best to apply everything that’s taught to us. We still have many lapses, many things to work on, but I’m very happy with how we’re willing to learn and improve each training,” Gandler added.

     

    Her performance wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a testament to the team’s growth, discipline, and unity. “I think it’s just the experiences that I’ve had and, of course, the environment that I have to always improve. My improvement is because of the help of my teammates, my coaches. So, yeah, I’m grateful for everything that they teach me and that my teammates give me confidence every time.”

     

    For Cignal, Gandler’s perseverance and versatility signal that the team is not just winning—they are building the foundation of a confident, resilient squad capable of challenging for the title.

     

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  • Choco Mucho hit by Eya Laure injury amid early conference slide

    Choco Mucho hit by Eya Laure injury amid early conference slide

    The promise was there at the start. A retooled Choco Mucho squad, energized by the return of Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure, opened the conference with authority and looked ready to finally turn potential into sustained momentum.

     

    Then reality arrived fast.

     

    What followed was an abrupt halt—two straight losses that exposed cracks still forming beneath the surface of the Flying Titans’ new look. Defeats to Cignal and Creamline didn’t just dent the standings; they interrupted rhythm, confidence, and continuity at a time when the team was still finding its collective footing.

     

    The setback grew heavier against Creamline when Laure, in the middle of a strong showing, was forced out after reaggravating groin and abdominal issues. Her exit didn’t just change the match—it symbolized Choco Mucho’s uneven start, where flashes of cohesion were quickly undone by disruption.

     

    Still, panic hasn’t crept in.

     

    “Okay naman siya,” head coach Dante Alinsunurin said afterward, striking a measured tone despite the circumstances.

     

    Rondina offered context—and hope.

     

    “Dati naman na talaga niyang problema yung groin niya, and may strain na rin yun sa abs. I think napuwersa lang din yun kanina. But tomorrow, meron siyang check-up. Hopefully, makabalik siya next game,” she said.

     

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    Beyond the injury concern, both coach and captain pointed to something more fundamental: patience. The losses, Alinsunurin stressed, revealed areas that still need refinement, especially as the team continues to adjust to new roles and expectations.

     

    “Sa nangyari sa dalawang talo namin, malinaw na nakita namin yung pagkakamali namin. Kung ano man yung gusto naming mangyari sa loob ng court, doon talaga napatunayan na kailangan gawin talaga,” he said.

     

    Rondina echoed that self-assessment, admitting that urgency sometimes works against them instead of for them.

     

    “Same lang din sa sagot ni coach. Nawawalan… Naiinip lang siguro kami. May mga bagay na nakukuha na sana namin yung rhythm, pero nakakalimutan namin na yung lahat ng gustong mangyari ni coach is effective, pero hindi namin nagagawa,” she said.

     

    “Yun din yung pagtutuunan namin ng pansin — na kailangan namin matutunan yun.”

     

    For now, Choco Mucho finds itself in unfamiliar early turbulence—armed with talent, tested by adversity, and reminded that cohesion doesn’t arrive on opening night. Whether this rough patch becomes a detour or a turning point will depend on how quickly the Flying Titans turn lessons into habits, and patience into progress.

     

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  • Creamline beats rival, Cignal shows nerves of steel in twin PVL thrillers

    Creamline beats rival, Cignal shows nerves of steel in twin PVL thrillers

    If the All-Filipino Conference was searching for early proof that reputation alone won’t carry teams, Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena delivered it—twice. One match was about restoring order. The other was about surviving chaos.

     

    Creamline, bruised from an opening-day stumble, played like a champion unwilling to entertain doubt. Choco Mucho, meanwhile, showed fight and flair but once again learned how thin the margin is against a team built for closing moments.

     

    From the opening serve, the Cool Smashers didn’t overwhelm so much as absorb. The first set unfolded in jagged bursts—blocks, quick attacks, defensive scrambles—until Creamline leaned on composure to escape, 27-25. When Choco Mucho punched back hard in the second, leveling the match with authority, the arena sensed the familiar tension that has long defined this rivalry.

     

    That tension broke in the third. Creamline tightened the screws defensively, controlled tempo, and reclaimed momentum. By the fourth set, with Eya Laure sidelined, the Cool Smashers shifted fully into execution mode—efficient, disciplined, and unapologetically clinical—to close out a 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15 rebound win in just under two hours.

     

    Bernadette Pons embodied that reset. Her triple-double—19 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 13 digs—was less about volume than reliability. After a quiet opener, Pangs Panaga (12 points) and Jema Galanza (11) rediscovered rhythm, while Tots Carlos matched Galanza’s output. Jia De Guzman, steady as ever, stitched it all together with eight points, three kill blocks, and 20 excellent sets—leadership expressed in choices, not noise.

     

    Choco Mucho showed plenty of promise. Laure’s 19 points came before she was forced out, Rondina battled to 15, and Lorraine Pecaña added 10. But when rallies stretched and decisions sharpened, Creamline once again owned the moment—improving to 1-1 while handing the Flying Titans a second straight loss.

     

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    Earlier in the evening, composure took a different shape.

     

    Cignal didn’t dominate Farm Fresh; it endured them.

     

    What unfolded was a two-hour, 10-minute test of patience and nerve, with the Super Spikers escaping 25-17, 26-24, 20-25, 30-28 to claim solo possession of first place. Leads vanished, deficits loomed, and set points came and went—but Cignal never blinked.

     

    Down five in the second set, they clawed back. After dropping the third, they stood firm in a fourth-set marathon, saving two set points and trading blows deep into extra points before finally breaking through.

     

    Vanie Gandler was the axis. Her 25-point outburst came with 17 excellent digs and 15 receptions—an all-around performance that earned Best Player of the Game and defined Cignal’s refusal to fold. Erika Santos chipped in 15, many at the most volatile junctures, while Gel Cayuna’s 19 excellent sets and timely 1-2 plays kept Farm Fresh perpetually off-balance.

     

    The Foxies were left with another near-miss. Trisha Tubu’s 19 points led the charge, Ces Molina had 18, and Royse Tubino added 14. Statistically, Farm Fresh matched Cignal blow for blow. Practically, the difference came down to errors—29 free points conceded, including the final two that sealed their fate.

     

    Two matches, two messages.

     

    Creamline reminded everyone why championships aren’t surrendered easily. Cignal showed that grit, not flash, can anchor an early run. And in a conference already punishing complacency, both wins felt heavier than a single mark in the standings.

     

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