BATANGAS CITY — Ayesha Juegos had already made peace with not hearing her name called during the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Draft. But just when the 22-year-old opposite spiker thought her volleyball dreams had reached the finish line, fate intervened.
“Nasa acceptance stage na ako, pero may nag-open na opportunity,” shared Juegos, who was signed by Choco Mucho as a free agent ahead of the PVL On Tour.
“Ako po kasi ‘yung klase ng tao na ‘yung motto ko ay tuloy ang buhay kahit anong mangyari, kasi may purpose naman si God sa lahat ng nangyayari sa life.”
That faith and resilience paid off in a major way.
Making her professional debut, the 5-foot-7 sparkplug wasted no time proving she belonged on the big stage. Juegos came off the bench to ignite the Flying Titans, helping them secure a four-set victory over Galeries Tower, 25-19, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20, Saturday night at the Batangas City Sports Coliseum.
A former standout from Adamson University, Juegos entered the match during the second and third sets and quickly made her presence felt with her energy and scoring punch. By the fourth frame, she had earned the trust of the coaching staff and was inserted into the starting lineup — a decision that paid immediate dividends.
She capped her breakthrough night with seven points, highlighted by the game-winning kill that sealed Choco Mucho’s season-opening win.
“As in po sobrang grateful and thankful po talaga ako sa Choco kasi binigyan nila ako ng opportunity to play sa PVL. Ayun, sobrang grateful po ako kay God na ginawa niyang way ‘yung Choco Mucho para mabigyan po ako ng opportunity to play,” Juegos said, her voice filled with emotion.
Despite the pressure of debuting on a professional stage, Juegos said she kept her composure by focusing on the fundamentals and trusting in her preparation.
“Unang-una po, nandun po ‘yung kaba pero kasama po ‘yung excitement kasi first game nga. Parang iba talaga ‘yung UAAP sa PVL, parang inexpect ko na ibang iba talaga ‘yung level. Excited po ako, tapos ‘yung team ko po sa Choco Mucho, kahit ilang weeks pa lang ang dami ko nang natutunan. Unti-unti kong naa-adapt ‘yung system.”
“Ano lang po, calm lang. Like kalma ko lang si self, tapos gawin ko lang ‘yung trabaho ko. Apply ko lang kung ano ‘yung natutunan ko sa training sa game. Kasi nga ‘yung training ‘yun po ‘yung reflection ng game ko.”
Juegos’ effort wasn’t just a personal triumph — it was a much-needed jolt for the Flying Titans. Head coach Dante Alinsunurin credited both Juegos and fellow rookie Jen Villegas, who also finished with seven points in her own debut, for turning the momentum in Choco Mucho’s favor.
“Alam mo 'yun, 'yung energy nila sa loob — sa tingin namin, kahit na 'di sila nagsasalita, pero nakikita namin na pinapakita talaga nila na 'yung energy nila, makakatulong sa team. 'Yun, hindi naman ako nagulat, pero sabi ko nga, kapag sila 'yung nasa loob ng court, nag-iiba 'yung dynamics ng team,” said Alinsunurin.
“Nagiging mabilis 'yung adjustments namin, nadadala 'yung pressure sa amin. Siguro sila, naglalaro lang talaga sila every time na pumapasok sa loob ng court.”
