BATANGAS CITY — Choco Mucho kicked off its 2025 PVL On Tour campaign with a four-set victory over Galeries Tower, 25-19, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, spoiling the debut of second overall pick Jean Asis on Saturday at the Batangas City Sports Center.
Despite missing key players Sisi Rondina, Mars Alba, and first-round pick Tia Andaya — who are currently fulfilling national team duties with Alas Pilipinas’ beach and indoor volleyball squads — the Flying Titans leaned on strong performances from Isa Molde, Des Cheng, Royse Tubino, and undrafted rookie Ayesha Juegos to secure their first win in Pool A.
“Hindi naman kailangan, ano. Yung expectations ko naman sa kanila, alam naman nila na every time may game sila, ’yun talaga yung aasahan namin. Hindi naman ako nagulat sa kanila kasi alam ko na kaya nila at marami pa silang puwedeng gawin para sa team, kasi first game pa lang namin ito,” said head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“Sigurado, may mga challenges pa na darating sa amin. Pero sabi ko nga, kailangan pa talaga naming mag-push — hindi lang sa game, sa training din,” he added.
(C) PVL Images
With Rondina unavailable, Molde took charge of Choco Mucho’s offense, delivering 20 points — all but one coming from attacks — while also contributing 12 excellent receptions. Her all-around effort helped solidify her role as the team’s primary scoring option.
After a dominant opening set led by Molde, Choco Mucho faltered in the second frame, getting overwhelmed by a fiery 10-3 start from the Asis-led Highrisers. The Rebisco-backed squad couldn’t recover as Galeries Tower cruised to an equalizing set win.
The third set saw a tight contest, but Choco Mucho regained control late, as Cheng delivered back-to-back kills to quell a Galeries rally and give the Flying Titans a crucial 2-1 set lead.
Riding that momentum, Choco Mucho took charge in the fourth set and never looked back, closing out the match in one hour and 49 minutes.
Newly-appointed team captain Des Cheng looked comfortable in her leadership role, turning in her best performance since returning from an ACL injury. She finished with 13 points, 11 excellent digs, and five excellent receptions.
Tubino contributed eight points, while young guns Juegos and Jen Villegas — the 19th overall pick in the 2025 draft — added seven points apiece in the balanced effort.
Setter Deanna Wong dished out 15 excellent sets, while libero Thang Ponce chipped in nine excellent digs.
Choco Mucho also missed the services of opposite spikers Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Kat Tolentino due to undisclosed reasons.
The Flying Titans aim to sweep the Batangas leg when they take on Nxled on Sunday at 6:30 PM in the same venue.
(C) PVL Images
On the other hand, the Highrisers couldn’t sustain their momentum after a strong second-set showing but found a bright spot in the debut of Asis, their surprise second overall pick.
The former Far Eastern University standout led Galeries with 16 points built on 13 attacks, two blocks, and one ace.
Jewel Encarnacion added 14 points off 12 attacks and two aces, along with 18 excellent receptions, while Ysa Jimenez finished with 13 markers.
New recruit Lia Pelaga started and chipped in six points, while France Ronquillo tallied six markers in just three sets of action.
Galeries Tower will try to bounce back when they face reigning PVL All-Filipino Conference champion Petro Gazz on Sunday at 4:00 PM.
