The Choco Mucho Flying Titans reached unprecedented heights in the recently concluded Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Second All-Filipino Conference.
Although they fell short in their debut appearance in the finals against the formidable Creamline, this journey marked a significant shift for the Flying Titans, who had spent the past year struggling in the lower ranks of the league.
For a franchise that endured four consecutive seventh-place finishes, reaching the finals served as a testament to Choco Mucho's determination and growth throughout the season.
The road to the finals was paved with challenges, most notably overcoming a best-of-three semifinals series against Cignal. Despite falling short of clinching the championship, team captain Maddie Madayag expressed satisfaction with the team's progress.
“The team fought really well. Unfortunately, we fell short, but at least we know where we are now, right?” shared Madayag following their Game 2 loss to Creamline.
The resilience displayed by Choco Mucho in the finals, pushing Creamline to the brink in Games 1 and 2, showcased the team's newfound competitiveness. Madayag acknowledged the long journey ahead but emphasized the substantial strides made compared to the team's humble beginnings in the 2023 season.
“There's a term that says we still have a long way to go, but we've come a long way. There's still a lot to fix, but we've come a long way compared to how we started this year,” she noted, reflecting on the team's earlier struggles that led to their exclusion from the playoffs in the first two conferences of the season.
The Second All-Filipino Conference marked a pivotal chapter in Choco Mucho's five-year history in the PVL. After an initial setback against Creamline in the opening game, the Flying Titans embarked on a remarkable 10-0 winning streak in the elimination round. Despite dropping Game 1 in the semifinals to the HD Spikers, they rebounded with authority, securing victories in the next two games and clinching their maiden podium finish in franchise history.
Madayag views Choco Mucho's performance in the season-ending conference as a powerful statement to the rest of the PVL. The team has not only arrived but is here to stay, ready to challenge the established order.
“We're very grateful that everything is coming together, and you can really see how Choco Mucho has changed in our last game this year. It's a statement to all the teams that we're not just an ordinary team,” Madayag asserted.
