Flying Titans survive Thunderbelles in 5-set play-in triumph

Choco Mucho staged a remarkable comeback to overcome ZUS Coffee, 21-25, 25-22, 13-25, 25-11, 15-11, advancing to the next stage of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference play-in phase on Tuesday at the Filoil Centre.

The seventh-seeded Flying Titans will now face the sixth-ranked Akari Chargers in the stepladder play-ins this Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Bago pa mag-umpisa ng game, sinabi ko na sa kanila na all out na tayo, kasi wala nang bukas. Ayun nga, ito ang nangyari: sinubukan nga kami hanggang sa dulo. Nakuha namin ‘yung game and pagdating nung fourth set and fifth set nakuha namin ‘yung game,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

After dropping the third set 25-13, the Flying Titans bounced back emphatically, dominating the fourth set 25-11 to tie the match at two sets each.

From that point, Choco Mucho seized control, with Eya Laure, Sisi Rondina, and Maddie Madayag propelling the team to a 12-5 advantage in the decisive fifth set.

ZUS Coffee’s Kate Santiago attempted to mount a comeback, but Kat Tolentino and Rondina ensured the Flying Titans closed out the match in one hour and 57 minutes.

Rondina spearheaded the victory with 27 points, including 26 attacks, 15 excellent receptions, and 10 digs. Madayag added 19 points from 14-of-22 attacks, three blocks, and two aces, while Laure contributed 13 points in four sets.

Deanna Wong distributed 24 excellent sets, and Tolentino added 12 points and 10 digs.

For ZUS Coffee, the tournament continued to be a struggle, with the Thunderbelles winning just one of 10 matches.

The team’s wing spikers were largely ineffective, leaving middle blockers Riza Nogales and Thea Gagate to shoulder the scoring load with 16 and 12 points, respectively.