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Advocates Philippines
Choco Mucho Survives Thriller Keeps Semis Dream Alive
Photo credit: PVL
For Choco Mucho Flying Titans, it wasn’t about starting strong—it was about finishing stronger when everything was on the line.
With their campaign hanging by a thread, the Flying Titans dug deep and outlasted the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a gripping five-set battle, 21-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-11, 15-11, during a do-or-die clash in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Tuesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Facing elimination—and the possible embarrassment of losing to the lowest-ranked team—Choco Mucho refused to fold. Instead, they leaned on their stars when it mattered most. Sisi Rondina, Maddie Madayag, Eya Laure, and Kat Tolentino took turns stepping up, powering a dominant fourth set before capitalizing on key errors in the decider.
Holding a 14-10 edge in the fifth but struggling to close it out, the Titans turned to their go-to finisher—and Rondina delivered. After a brief scare that gave ZUS Coffee a lifeline, Choco Mucho found Rondina in open space. She rose above the defense and fired a powerful crosscourt hit that sealed the intense one-hour, 57-minute showdown.
Rondina led the charge with 27 points and 15 excellent receptions, but it was Madayag who stole the spotlight with 19 points, including three blocks, to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Laure added 13 points despite limited minutes, while Tolentino chipped in 12.
Madayag admitted it wasn’t easy. The team struggled and had moments of disconnect—but this time, they found a new mindset and played as one when it mattered most.
Earlier, it was Laure who sparked the comeback to force a fifth set—the conference’s 12th—before the Titans took early control. A quick start and a strong run from Rondina and Madayag gave them breathing room, stretching the lead to 8-2.
ZUS Coffee tried to fight back, trimming the gap to 9-12 behind a late push, but clutch plays from Deanna Wong and Tolentino kept the Titans steady before Rondina slammed the door shut for good.
It was a tough heartbreak for ZUS Coffee, with Riza Nogales leading the way with 16 points, while Thea Gagate added 12. Cess Robles, Chinnie Arroyo, and Kate Santiago contributed nine points each.
In the end, Choco Mucho lives to fight another day—battle-tested, unshaken, and now just two wins away from a semifinal spot.
With their campaign hanging by a thread, the Flying Titans dug deep and outlasted the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles in a gripping five-set battle, 21-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-11, 15-11, during a do-or-die clash in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Tuesday night at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.
Facing elimination—and the possible embarrassment of losing to the lowest-ranked team—Choco Mucho refused to fold. Instead, they leaned on their stars when it mattered most. Sisi Rondina, Maddie Madayag, Eya Laure, and Kat Tolentino took turns stepping up, powering a dominant fourth set before capitalizing on key errors in the decider.
Holding a 14-10 edge in the fifth but struggling to close it out, the Titans turned to their go-to finisher—and Rondina delivered. After a brief scare that gave ZUS Coffee a lifeline, Choco Mucho found Rondina in open space. She rose above the defense and fired a powerful crosscourt hit that sealed the intense one-hour, 57-minute showdown.
Rondina led the charge with 27 points and 15 excellent receptions, but it was Madayag who stole the spotlight with 19 points, including three blocks, to earn Best Player of the Game honors. Laure added 13 points despite limited minutes, while Tolentino chipped in 12.
Madayag admitted it wasn’t easy. The team struggled and had moments of disconnect—but this time, they found a new mindset and played as one when it mattered most.
Earlier, it was Laure who sparked the comeback to force a fifth set—the conference’s 12th—before the Titans took early control. A quick start and a strong run from Rondina and Madayag gave them breathing room, stretching the lead to 8-2.
ZUS Coffee tried to fight back, trimming the gap to 9-12 behind a late push, but clutch plays from Deanna Wong and Tolentino kept the Titans steady before Rondina slammed the door shut for good.
It was a tough heartbreak for ZUS Coffee, with Riza Nogales leading the way with 16 points, while Thea Gagate added 12. Cess Robles, Chinnie Arroyo, and Kate Santiago contributed nine points each.
In the end, Choco Mucho lives to fight another day—battle-tested, unshaken, and now just two wins away from a semifinal spot.
Mar 25, 2026
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