Flying Titans clinch 7th seed after beating Thunderbelles in 4

Choco Mucho capped off the preliminary round of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference with a statement win, defeating ZUS Coffee in four sets, 27-25, 22-25, 25-16, 25-19, on Thursday night at the Filoil Centre.

The victory secured the Flying Titans the seventh seed in the play-in quarterfinals, finishing the preliminaries with a 4-5 record and 13 points—insurmountable for eighth-seeded Capital1, which sits at 3-5 with seven points. Choco Mucho will now face the 10th-ranked Thunderbelles in the upcoming play-in round.

“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 gained momentum, executing a balanced attack led by setter Deanna Wong. Wong delivered 14 excellent sets and added five points—three aces, one attack, and one block—along with four excellent digs in nearly two hours of play.

Outside hitter Sisi Rondina carried the scoring load with a game-high 18 points on 15 attacks and three aces, complemented by 20 excellent receptions. Kat Tolentino added 12 points on 10 attacks and two blocks, while Lorraine Pecaña contributed 11 points. Maddie Madayag and Des Cheng each scored 10 points, with Cheng shining defensively through 14 excellent digs and seven excellent receptions.

ZUS Coffee, meanwhile, closed its preliminaries on a six-game skid, falling to 1-8. Jovelyn Gonzaga led the Thunderbelles with 13 points and 12 excellent digs, while Thea Gagate added 12 points on nine attacks, two blocks, and an ace. Riza Nogales scored nine points, and Chinnie Arroyo had eight. Rachel Anne Daquis provided a spark off the bench with five points. Alyssa Eroa anchored the defense with 13 excellent digs and 11 excellent receptions.

Choco Mucho’s balanced attack and timely scoring will be key as they aim to advance past the play-in round and into the quarterfinals.