Choco Mucho celebrates a point during a PVL on Tour preseason game against Galeries in Batangas.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho banked on a collective effort to stave off Galeries Tower, 25-19, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, for a strong start to its PVL on Tour campaign on Saturday at Batangas City Sports Center.
Missing star Sisi Rondina as well as Maddie Madayag and setters Mars Alba and Tia Andaya due to their Alas Pilipinas duties, the Flying Titans displayed their next one-up mentality with Isa Molde and new captain Des Cheng leading their squad to a triumphant preseason debut in Pool A.
READ: PVL: Tia Andaya hopes to add more reasons to cheer for Choco Mucho
Molde powered Choco Mucho with 20 points built on 19 kills and a block, while Cheng delivered 13 points, including the crucial spikes that sealed their pivotal third-set win. Cheng also had 11 digs and five excellent receptions.
“I think it’s really because I trust my teammates so much. I know they’ll deliver, so it hasn’t been hard for me to handle my responsibility on the team because they’re always there to support us,” said Molde in Filipino after contributing 12 excellent receptions.
Cheng didn’t have a hard time leading the Titans as everyone was willing to step up despite missing their main gunners. Former league MVP Rondina has returned to the sands with the national beach volleyball team, while Madayag, Alba, and Andaya are all in Vietnam for the VTV Cup.
“In tonight’s game, what we really had was our unity and our desire to win. People always say we’re incomplete, we’re lacking players, but even if that’s how it looks to others, we know we’re whole because of the trust we have in each other. And the trust coach has in us. Did you see how he rotated us? It really shows,” Cheng said in Filipino.
Royse Tubino chipped in eight points with Deanna Wong pacing the team with 15 excellent sets, but it was the rookies Jen Villegas and Ayesha Juegos, who spelled the difference in the last two sets, scoring seven points each.
READ: Sisi Rondina returning to beach volleyball for 2025 SEA Games
Villegas, a second-round pick, and undrafted Juegos anchored the Titans’ fightback in the third and mounted an 18-11 start before the latter nailed the last two points to seal their first win of their two-game Batangas stop.
“I wasn’t surprised by how they played because I know what they’re capable of, and I know they can still do so much more for the team since this is just our first game. I’m sure there will be more challenges ahead, but like I always tell them, we need to keep pushing, not just in games but also in training,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“From the moment they joined our practices, their impact was already big because we were incomplete, and they helped complete our training. Secondly, you can see their energy on the court. Even if they’re not vocal, you can see how much their energy helps the team. Whenever they’re on the court, the team’s dynamics change. We’re able to adjust faster, and I think they’re the type who just play their game every time they step on the court, taking the pressure off the others.”
Choco Mucho looks to sweep its preseason opening weekend against Nxled at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday.
After winning the opening set, Choco Mucho had no answer for Galeries’ No. 2 pick Jean Asis, who waxed hot and spearheaded the team’s 12-point rout to tie the match.
READ: PVL: Alinsunurin rues injuries, still proud of Choco Mucho’s fight
The Flying Titans recovered in the third and fought back from a 13-16 deficit as Molde continued to display her scoring prowess with Villegas drilling the timely hits to score seven straight points for a 20-16 lead.
The HighRisers kept them within striking distance due to their errors as Ysa Jimenez cut it down to one, 23-22. But Cheng came to the rescue, hitting back-to-back clutch kills to regain the lead, two sets to one.
Asis debuted in style with 16 points off 13 spikes, two blocks, and an ace. Jewel Encarnacion had 14 points and 18 excellent receptions, while Jimenez added 13.
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Galeries has less than 24 hours to regroup before facing All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz also on Sunday at 4 p.m.
