BATANGAS City – Choco Mucho’s rookie duo stood their ground in the face of Jean Asis’ fiery breakout, steering the Flying Titans to a hard-earned 25-19, 13-25, 25-22, 25-20 victory over the Galeries Tower Highrisers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) On Tour at the Batangas City Sports Center on Saturday.
In a clash of depleted lineups – owing to key absences from national team duties and injuries – the spotlight shifted to the rookies, and they didn’t disappoint. While Asis dazzled early with her athleticism and varied offensive arsenal, it was the Flying Titans’ own fresh faces who ultimately tipped the scales in the second leg of the pre-season tournament organized by Sports Vision.
A pair of Adamson rookies, Ayesha Juegos and Jen Villegas, played beyond their years, complementing Choco Mucho’s veterans with composure and timely execution. The two delivered when it mattered most, especially after the Titans were stunned by Galeries Tower’s dominant 12-point rout in the second frame.
As the Pool A match tightened in the pivotal third set, the Flying Titans leaned on experience – and grit. Down 13-16, they clawed their way back and stifled a late Galeries Tower rally. Veteran Des Cheng anchored the finishing blow, firing a crisp down-the-line hit for set point before sealing the set – and a crucial 2-1 advantage – with a heavy swing that ricocheted off a defender and out of bounds.
Riding that momentum, Choco Mucho built an early cushion in the fourth set, 8-4, and maintained control despite multiple Galeries Tower comeback attempts. Cheng and Isa Molde provided the offensive thrust, but it was Juegos and Villegas who added the finishing touches.
Juegos, in particular, delivered the final two points, capping her impressive league debut with a sharp crosscourt hit followed by a deflected kill that ended the match.
Molde paced the Titans with 20 points, while Cheng and Royse Tubino added 13 and eight markers, respectively. Juegos and Villegas chipped in seven points apiece in a confidence-boosting one-hour and 49-minute win.
“Maraming bago, maraming din wala, pero sabi ng mga coaches namin, walang mawawala kung maglalaro lang ng tama at masaya. Dapat mag-start kami sa maayos na paraan,” said Molde, who earned Player of the Game honors.
“We just followed what our coaches told us, do what we practiced in training – then go all-out,” she added.
Despite the loss, Asis left a lasting impression. The former FEU stalwart erupted for 16 points in her PVL debut, wowing the crowd and even the opposing bench with her range of attacks – running hits, quick plays and crosscourt shots. Her performance in the early sets hinted at her massive potential, though her momentum slowed in the final frames amid rotations and substitutions.
Still, the Galeries Tower rookie made her case as a rising star – and possibly the next big thing in the league. Supporting her were Jewel Encarnacion and Ysa Jimenez, who chipped in 14 and 13 points, respectively. Lia Pelaga added seven, while France Ronquillo tallied six.
Galeries coach Lerma Giron made key adjustments following a first-set stumble, maximizing her young lineup’s strengths with that second-set blowout. While the Highrisers couldn’t sustain the pace in the latter sets, their overall showing – particularly from Asis and the other emerging talents – underscored their potential to contend in the long run.
The match was tightly contested from start to finish, with both teams nearly matching each other in the stats column. Choco Mucho narrowly edged Galeries Tower in attacks, 57-51, while the Highrisers had the upper hand from the service line, delivering five aces to the Titans’ three. Both teams registered five blocks apiece in a show of balanced defense.
Galeries Tower also gained 25 points off Choco Mucho’s errors but gave away 23 of their own, further underscoring the razor-thin margins that defined the match.
