BATANGAS CITY — Undrafted opposite spiker Ayesha Juegos had already come to terms with the fact that her name was never called during the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft.
At 22 years old, Juegos shared that she had already reached the acceptance stage — ready to move forward with her life — when an unexpected call from Choco Mucho came and revived her PVL dream.
“Nasa acceptance stage na ako, pero may nag-open na opportunity,” said Juegos, who was signed by the Flying Titans from free agency before the start of the PVL On Tour.
“Ako po kasi ‘yung klase ng tao na ‘yung motto ko ay tuloy ang buhay kahit anong mangyari, kasi may purpose naman si God sa lahat ng nangyayari sa life,” she added.
And Juegos made sure not to waste that second chance.
In her professional debut, the 5-foot-7 spiker immediately proved she belonged. She provided a spark off the bench and showcased the potential many had overlooked on draft night — helping Choco Mucho secure a four-set victory over Galeries Tower, 25-19, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, on Saturday night.
The former Adamson University standout energized the team when she entered during the second and third sets, after sitting out the opener. She earned the starting role in the fourth frame and delivered seven key points, including the game-winning kill.
“As in po sobrang grateful and thankful po talaga ako sa Choco kasi binigyan nila ako ng opportunity to play sa PVL. Ayun, sobrang grateful po ako kay God na ginawa niyang way ‘yung Choco Mucho para mabigyan po ako ng opportunity to play,” said Juegos.
Though nerves crept in as she stepped onto the court for the first time, Juegos said she focused on staying composed and making the most of the opportunity she had long prayed for.
The former UAAP Girls’ Best Opposite Spiker admitted she’s still adjusting to the professional level, but she’s already learned a lot in just a few weeks with Choco Mucho — enough to give her the confidence to deliver on opening night.
“Unang-una po, nandun po ‘yung kaba pero kasama po ‘yung excitement kasi first game nga. Parang iba talaga ‘yung UAAP sa PVL, parang inexpect ko na ibang iba talaga ‘yung level. Excited po ako, tapos ‘yung team ko po sa Choco Mucho, kahit ilang weeks pa lang ang dami ko nang natutunan. Unti-unti kong naa-adapt ‘yung system,” she said.
“Ano lang po, calm lang. Like kalma ko lang si self, tapos gawin ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko. Apply ko lang kung ano ‘yung natutunan ko sa training sa game. Kasi nga ‘yung training ‘yun po ‘yung reflection ng game ko,” she added.
Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin praised the energy brought by Juegos and fellow rookie Jen Villegas, who also tallied seven points in her debut. The duo’s performance provided the spark the team needed to finish strong.
“Alam mo ‘yun, ‘yung energy nila sa loob — sa tingin namin, kahit na ‘di sila nagsasalita, pero nakikita namin na pinapakita talaga nila na ‘yung energy nila, makakatulong sa team. ‘Yun, hindi naman ako nagulat, pero sabi ko nga, kapag sila ‘yung nasa loob ng court, nag-iiba ‘yung dynamics ng team,” said Alinsunurin.
“Nagiging mabilis ‘yung adjustments namin, nadadala ‘yung pressure sa amin. Siguro sila, naglalaro lang talaga sila every time na pumapasok sa loob ng court.”
#WATCH: Undrafted rookie Ayesha Juegos shares her gratitude to Choco Mucho for giving her a second chance just when she was learning to accept going undrafted 🏐
🎥: @jonashdcd/ Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/eVHH3wQ5S4
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 28, 2025
