Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure made a triumphant return to the Premier Volleyball League, leading Choco Mucho to a convincing sweep of Akari, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20, in a thrilling opener of the 2026 All-Filipino Conference on Saturday at the FilOil Centre.
Rondina, playing her first game with the Flying Titans in nearly eight months after focusing on her duties with Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball, finished with 16 points on 14 attacks, one block, and one service ace.
Meanwhile, Laure, returning to the league after nearly two years following complications from her exit from Chery Tiggo, contributed 11 points on eight attacks, two service aces, and one block, while adding nine excellent receptions in her PVL comeback.
It was a reunion of sorts for the duo, who were key figures in the University of Santo Tomas team that reached the UAAP Season 81 Finals in 2019 and were also teammates on the Alas Pilipinas squad that clinched bronze in the 2024 AVC Nations Cup.
(C) PVL Images
“Actually, magaan talaga kasi minindset ko nga… sabi nga ni Coach Dante, i-treat lang namin ‘to as a normal day, wag masyado excited. So yun, nakatulog ako ng maayos. Para namang routine ko sa every day namin. Siguro tamang mindset lang din at guidance ng coaches namin,” Laure said.
After a tight opening set that they pulled away from late, the Flying Titans drew energy from their fans in the second frame. They erased a 17-11 deficit with a blistering 14-5 run, capped by a Rondina ace that gave them a 2-0 set lead.
Akari, however, fought back and threatened to extend the match to a fourth set. Back-to-back errors by Faith Nisperos and Grethcel Soltones, followed by a floating hit from Laure, stretched Choco Mucho’s narrow 19-18 lead to 22-18.
Alina Bicar’s service sailed long, but Dindin Santiago-Manabat answered with a cross-court attack. An emphatic block by Jaila Atienza on Soltones pushed the Flying Titans to match point at 24-19.
Des Cheng later committed a service error to give Akari a brief lifeline, but Santiago-Manabat sealed the win with an off-the-block hit after an hour and 23 minutes of action.
“Unang-una siyempre, happy ako sa naging performance namin, lalo na sa second set na sobrang layo ng hinabol namin pero nakuha namin yung panalo. At ‘yun nga, sa naging performance ng players ko, sobra yung expectations ko,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
Choco Mucho played without middle blocker Maddie Madayag but received solid contributions from Lorraine Pecana and Jaila Atienza, who combined for 11 points and eight of the team’s 11 blocks.
Deanna Wong dished out 11 excellent sets and added three points, while Thang Ponce recorded nine excellent digs, helping Choco Mucho join Cignal as early leaders in the 10-team, all-local conference.
The Flying Titans will next face the Super Spikers on Thursday at 4 p.m. at the same venue, aiming to secure back-to-back wins to start the tournament.
(C) PVL Images
For Akari, Fifi Sharma was the lone double-digit scorer with 10 points on seven attacks, two aces, and one block. Ced Domingo added nine points on seven attacks, one block, and one ace, while Soltones, Ivy Lacsina, and Eli Soyud contributed six points apiece.
Faith Nisperos, returning from a nine-month knee injury, saw action off the bench but was held scoreless. Team captain Justine Jazareno missed the match as she continues to recover from dengue.
The Chargers will look to bounce back when they face ZUS Coffee on February 12, also at the FilOil Centre.
