Choco Mucho secured the seventh seed in the play-in round after taking down ZUS Coffee in four sets, 27-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19, to cap off the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference preliminary round on Thursday night at the Filoil Centre.
The Flying Titans improved to a 4-5 record with 13 points—now out of reach for eighth-seeded Capital1, which sits at 3-5 with seven points—thereby clinching the highest spot in the play-in quarterfinals and setting up a showdown with the 10th-ranked Thunderbelles.
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“Siyempre sobrang thankful ako sa panalo namin and then sa kanilang dalawa (Maddie Madayag and Des Cheng). Parehas silang may sakit na nandito naglaro and sobrang ganda pa yung naging performance namin,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Ayun sana, unti unti na kaming nagigising. Sana, alam mo yun, magtuloy-tuloy yung ganitong galaw namin. Kaya naman namin gumagalaw nang maayos every time na may mga nangyayari sa loob ng court. Siguro kailangan ko pang magalit sa kanila para mas gumanda yung laro nila,” he added.
After splitting the first two sets, the Flying Titans found their rhythm in the next two frames, unleashing a balanced offensive surge orchestrated by Deanna Wong to hold off ZUS Coffee and snap a two-game skid to close the preliminaries.
Wong anchored the offense with 14 excellent sets, while also contributing five points—built on three aces, one attack, and one block—along with four excellent digs in nearly two hours of play.
Sisi Rondina delivered a game-high 18 points on 15 attacks and three aces, while also tallying 20 excellent receptions. Kat Tolentino chipped in 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks for Choco Mucho.
Lorraine Pecaña added 11 markers, while Maddie Madayag and Des Cheng contributed 10 points apiece. Cheng also stood out defensively with 14 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.
(C) PVL Images
Meanwhile, ZUS Coffee closed its preliminary campaign on a six-game losing streak, dropping to 1-8.
Jovelyn Gonzaga led the struggling Thunderbelles with 13 points and 12 excellent digs, while Thea Gagate finished with 12 markers built on nine attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
Riza Nogales tallied nine points, while Chinnie Arroyo was limited to just eight. Rachel Anne Daquis provided a spark off the bench with five points.
Alyssa Eroa, for her part, anchored the defense with a stellar outing, posting 13 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.
