RODRIGUEZ, RIZAL – Choco Mucho spoiled the much-awaited Premier Volleyball League debut of top overall pick Bella Belen, outlasting Capital1 in a hard-fought straight-sets win, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23, to open its 2025 Reinforced Conference campaign on a high note, Tuesday night at the Ynares Center in Montalban.
Just like the opening-day clash between ZUS Coffee and Akari, the duel between the Flying Titans and the Solar Spikers also saw no foreign guest players in action, as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) has yet to release the required International Transfer Certificates.
Among those affected were Choco Mucho’s Anyse Smith and Capital1’s Oleksandra Bytsenko, while seventh overall pick Tia Andaya of the Flying Titans also had to sit out for the same reason.
(C) PVL Images
Still, the Rebisco-backed squad found plenty of firepower from returning stalwarts Maddie Madayag — fresh off a stint with Japan’s Kurobe Aqua Fairies — as well as Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Kat Tolentino. The latter two were coming back from injuries, but still helped fend off the Belen-led Solar Spikers in the opening match of Pool A.
Tolentino, coming off a bout with appendicitis, posted a game-high 15 points on 12 attacks, two kill blocks, and one ace to go along with 11 excellent digs. Isa Molde added 14 points for Choco Mucho.
Madayag, meanwhile, finished with five points, including the last two points to seal the win. Meanwhile, Santiago-Manabat tallied four markers in her first game back from a knee injury.
“Maganda ‘yung pagkapanalo namin kasi nakita namin na ano, ‘yun nga ‘yung sinasabi ko lagi na kapag kumpleto kami, marami kaming pwedeng gawin. Marami kaming pwedeng asahan, sa larong ‘to nakita namin ‘yung tulong tulong talaga sila na nakuha namin,” said Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Kahit na struggle kami sa mga pasa namin nung una, pero nagawa pa rin namin ng tama ‘yung gusto namin sa loob ng court. ‘Yun, nag-connect connect lang talaga. Kung sino ‘man ‘yung pinasok, talagang nag-perform,” he added.
Choco Mucho’s experience and poise shone through, especially at the net, where they consistently dictated the tempo. They outplayed their opponents with 11 blocks — three more than the Solar Spikers — while also edging them in attacks, 56-51.
The Flying Titans look to build from their winning debut when they take on Cignal on Monday, 4:00 PM at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, Belen posted a triple-double in her very first PVL game with 20 points, 18 excellent digs, and 12 excellent receptions for the Solar Spikers.
The Capital1 youth brigade was in full display, with Leila Cruz stepping up for 18 points built on 15 attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Meanwhile, Roma Doromal anchored the floor defense with 15 excellent receptions and 10 digs.
The Solar Spikers aim to bounce back versus PLDT also on Monday.
