The Choco Mucho Flying Titans closed out their 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference prelims campaign with a 27-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19 victory over the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles on Thursday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
The Flying Titans had to work early, escaping a tight opening set before dropping a closely contested second frame. They responded in the third by regaining control, then carried that momentum into the fourth to secure the win and finish with a 4-5 record.
Despite missing out on a Top 4 spot and currently sitting at seventh, the result gives Choco Mucho a boost heading into the Play-In stage. The team is expected to land in Group 2, alongside the sixth- and 10th-ranked squads, including ZUS Coffee—a team they now hold an advantage over.
Choco Mucho Turns the Tide
Choco Mucho turned the match around in Set 3 and never looked back. In the fourth, they raced to a fast start, winning seven of the first 10 points and extending the lead to 16-7 at the second technical timeout, highlighted by Lorraine Pecaña’s strong block on Rachel Anne Daquis.
The Flying Titans maintained control behind a steady attack. Deanna Wong delivered an ace, while Sisi Rondina added a powerful hit to stretch the gap further. Des Cheng then took charge late, stringing together key points to keep ZUS Coffee at bay.
At 20-9, head coach Dante Alinsunurin inserted Eya Laure, who made her first appearance and later delivered the finishing blow with an off-speed hit after ZUS Coffee saved five match points. The Thunderbelles’ late push, capped by a strong attack from Chinnie Arroyo, forced a timeout before Choco Mucho closed it out in one hour and 54 minutes.
Wong was named Best Player of the Game after recording 14 excellent sets and five points. “Nag-usap lang kami and tried to find solutions to score and win the game,” she said.
Rondina led all scorers with 18 points, while Kat Tolentino added 12. Pecaña finished with 11, and Cheng and Maddie Madayag chipped in 10 apiece.
ZUS Coffee ended its campaign at 1-8, with Jovelyn Gonzaga and Thea Gagate leading the way with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
What’s Next in the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference
Saturday, March 21 • Filoil Centre
Capital1 Solar Spikers vs. Galeries Tower Highrisers, 1:30 p.m.
Farm Fresh Foxies vs. Akari Chargers, 4:00 p.m.
Cignal Super Spikers vs. Creamline Cool Smashers, 6:30 p.m.
Choco Mucho Flying Titans
TBD
ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles
TBD
