RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL – Also-ran Choco Mucho closed its campaign on a high note, snapping a four-game losing streak with a four-set victory over quarterfinal-bound Akari, 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21, for a triumphant finish in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Ynares Center Montalban here.
The Flying Titans ended the tournament with a 3-5 record and remain in the hunt for a ninth-place finish, depending on the result of Chery Tiggo EV’s final elimination-round match against Farm Fresh on Thursday.
Choco Mucho, donning white ribbons in support of libero Thang Ponce, played with heart and unity as the team rallied behind her during a difficult moment in her life.
American reinforcement Anyse Smith and Royse Tubino spearheaded the team’s solid performance, while Bia General stepped up in Ponce’s absence. The Flying Titans recovered from a second-set setback and took the next two frames to secure the win.
Tubino led the charge with 20 points built on 18 attacks and two aces, alongside 11 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions. Smith added 18 points, 16 of which came from attacks, in nearly two hours of action.
General, in her spot start at libero, tallied 24 excellent digs.
(C) PVL Images
“Siguro team effort ito eh. Sabi nga ni coach, nothing to lose, so nag-enjoy lang kami then the rest to follow nalang ‘yung ginagawa namin. Basta nag-eenjoy lang kami,” said the veteran opposite spiker.
“I feel like we played very well tonight. We played very composed, and our hard work gave us positive results. It is sad to walk away; however, I still believe that they can do good things with or without me,” added Smith.
Isa Molde made her presence felt with nine points, 13 excellent digs, and 13 excellent receptions. Meanwhile, middle blockers Maddie Madayag and Cherry Nunag contributed nine and seven points, respectively.
Setter Deanna Wong orchestrated the offense with 24 excellent sets and was instrumental in the team’s strong finish.
Choco Mucho also played spoiler, putting Akari in a challenging position. The Chargers slipped to 4-4 and now face the possibility of dropping to as low as eighth place if Cignal, Petro Gazz, and Capital1 win their remaining games.
(C) PVL Images
American import Annie Michém powered Akari with 30 points, along with 22 excellent receptions and eight excellent digs.
Eli Soyud added 17 points, while Mars Alba and Justine Jazareno recorded 26 excellent sets and 26 excellent digs, respectively.
Ivy Lacsina, who missed the team’s first seven games, saw limited action in the first and fourth sets and finished scoreless.
