The Choco Mucho Flying Titans beat the Creamline Cool Smashers, 23-25, 25-13, 25-23, 22-25, 15-13, in the 2026–27 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab Series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
After Choco Mucho failed to close out the match in the fourth set, Creamline took an 11-9 lead in the decider on a Jeanette Panaga block on Caitlin Viray and a Tots Carlos attack. Eya Laure returned for the fifth set after missing the previous three sets with a slight back injury. She joined Viray and Lorene Toring in a 5-0 run that gave the Flying Titans three match points at 14-11.
Carlos saved the first with a hit off the block, and Bernadeth Pons blocked Viray to pull Creamline within one, 13-14. Viray made up for it on the next rally, ending the match with a down-the-line kill.
“Siguro, una, happy kami sa naging resulta ng game, lalong-lalo na sa mga nag-step up talaga, sa mga middle namin na pinasok ko nung second set hanggang third set. Kasi ‘yun ‘yung sinasabi ko sa players ko, kung sino man ‘yung may pagkukulang, kailangang punan. Kung sino man ‘yung kailangang tulungan, tulungan,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kaya siguro total team effort talaga ‘yung ginawa ng team, lalo nung fifth set. Hindi sila bumitaw kahit nalamangan kami ng tatlo o dalawa. Sabi ko rin, hindi tayo mananalo ng isang tao, dalawang tao. Importante, team effort talaga sa lahat ng ginagawa. Kaya sobrang thankful kami sa result na panalo ngayon,” he added.
Sisi Rondina-Rosales led the Flying Titans with 20 points on 18 attacks, along with 11 excellent digs. Viray added 11 points, while Jewel Encarnacion scored 10.
Off the bench, Deanna Wong distributed 15 excellent sets.
For the Cool Smashers, Jema Galanza had 16 points, 13 excellent receptions, and 11 excellent digs. Pons added 14 points and 11 excellent digs, Carlos scored 13, and Panaga had 10.
Choco Mucho will next face the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Thursday, November 19, at 6:00 p.m. at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig. Meanwhile, Creamline will try to bounce back against the Nxled Chameleons on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Nxled Sweeps Akari, Clinches Semis Berth
Earlier, Nxled swept the Akari Chargers, 27-25, 25-22, 26-24, to clinch the first semifinal berth in franchise history.
The Chameleons trailed 14-16 in the third set when Jonah Sabete-Escamillan landed awkwardly on her left leg after a spike attempt and had to be stretchered off the court. EJ Cariño came in for her and immediately scored on a crosscourt attack. That started a 6-2 run that put Nxled ahead 20-18.
The teams traded points until libero Bang Pineda’s overpass caught Akari off guard and gave Nxled match point at 24-23. Ced Domingo saved it with a quick attack to tie the set at 24-24. Gel Cayuna then scored on a one-two play, and Cariño ended the match with another crosscourt kill.
“Today was tough and rough. And so we are really happy that those three points are made for something important,” said Nxled head coach Ettore Guidetti.
“This is an amazing team. It takes time to mix them together, but at the end of the day, all of the players that I’ve got, they are super high level,” he added.
Brooke Van Sickle led the Chameleons with 10 points.
Cayuna distributed 17 excellent sets.
For the Chargers, Eli Soyud had 16 points on 13 attacks, while Domingo added 10.
Nxled will next face Creamline on Tuesday, November 17, at 6:00 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Earlier that day, at 1:00 p.m., Akari will try to bounce back against the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles.
