Choco Mucho showed grit and composure behind its local core to overcome Cignal, 23-25, 25-19, 25-16, 27-25, and start its 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference campaign with a hard-fought win on Monday night, October 13,  at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Playing without import Anyse Smith due to pending documents, the Flying Titans leaned on Maddie Madayag and Isa Molde to deliver a statement victory in Pool A action. The two led a collective effort that powered Choco Mucho past the Super Spikers despite dropping the opening set.

Madayag leads the charge

Madayag finished with a game-high 18 points built on 11 attacks, six kill blocks, and one ace. She scored three of the team’s last five points, including the game-winning service ace that capped a late rally. Molde added 17 points, all from attacks, and 13 excellent digs in an all-around performance.

“I just did my job,” Madayag said. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without my teammates. We struggled a bit with ball control, but we fixed it toward the end.”

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The Flying Titans originally won their scrapped debut against Capital1 last week, when both teams played without imports due to International Transfer Certificate delays. With Smith still unavailable, Choco Mucho relied fully on its local lineup to take down a veteran Cignal side.

Local grit carries the Flying Titans

Cignal threatened to force a fifth set late in the fourth frame after a 3-0 run turned a 20-21 deficit into a 23-21 lead. Royse Tubino halted the surge with a smart push, before Madayag delivered back-to-back points, including a crucial block on Vanie Gandler, to swing the momentum.

Dindin Santiago-Manabat put Cignal back ahead, but Heather Guino-o answered to tie it at 25. Santiago-Manabat scored again, but Madayag closed the door with a booming ace to seal the win.

Team captain Des Cheng chipped in 14 points and 12 excellent receptions, while Kat Tolentino added 10 points. Libero Thang Ponce anchored the defense with 32 digs and 20 receptions, while Deanna Wong dished out 25 excellent sets.

“May mga challenges kami, pero nagtulungan talaga lahat,” said head coach Dante Alinsunurin. “Kita sa depensa at opensa na collective effort.”

Choco Mucho next faces powerhouse PLDT on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the same venue.

Cignal struggled to find rhythm, committing 28 errors. Greek import Eva Chantava managed only 10 points on 9-of-39 hitting, while Gandler led the team with 15 points and 12 digs. Cignal will try to bounce back against Farm Fresh on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.