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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Choco Mucho, Cignal dispute for early solo lead

Choco Mucho, Cignal dispute for early solo lead

Published Feb 4, 2026 12:22 pm

At A Glance

  • The Flying Titans and the Super Spikers square off at 4 p.m., both eyeing a follow-up to their respective opening-match victories, before the Cool Smashers and the High Speed Hitters collide in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap.
Sisi Rondina is expected to power Choco Mucho anew. (PVL Images)
Sisi Rondina is expected to power Choco Mucho anew. (PVL Images)
Choco Mucho and Cignal dispute for the early solo lead, while Creamline and PLDT seek to kick off their title bids on a high note in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Thursday, Feb. 5, at the Filoil Centre in San Juan City.
The Flying Titans and the Super Spikers square off at 4 p.m., both eyeing a follow-up to their respective opening-match victories, before the Cool Smashers and the High Speed Hitters collide in the 6:30 p.m. nightcap.
Buoyed by the return of hard-hitting spiker Sisi Rondina and the debut of Eya Laure, Choco Mucho made an early statement with a 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 victory over Akari on Saturday, Jan. 31. The strong start sent a strong message about their campaigns, though Rondina and Laure admitted there is still plenty of work ahead.
Aside from the dynamic duo, Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin is banking on Lorraine Pecana and Jaila Atienza, who anchored the Flying Titans’ defense and helped neutralize Akari’s spikers in their opener.
Cignal, however, is also riding the momentum of  morale-boosting sweep of Galeries Tower, 25-17, 25-14, 25-11 behind solid outings from Tin Tiamzon, Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos.
Meanwhile, attention also turns to the anticipated Creamline-PLDT showdown, featuring two teams rich in championship pedigree.
Eager to bounce back from a rare title-less campaign last year, the Cool Smashers are determined to reclaim their winning form with the return of versatile playmaker Jia De Guzman alongside Bernadette Pons, Michele Gumabao, Bea De Leon and Pangs Panaga.
New libero Jen Nierva is also expected to bolster the squad’s floor defense.
“Syempre sobrang excited, kasi makikita mo talaga ‘yung mga OG ng Creamline nandyan sila. So excited kami, pero lahat ng team ngayon, talagang maraming na-recruit, ‘yung mga Alas bumalik na,” said Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses.
Standing firmly in their path is a PLDT side that is anything but intimidated.
Under coach Rald Ricafort, the High Speed Hitters parade a formidable lineup led by explosive import Savi Davison, dependable scorer Kim Dy, and a battle-tested core of Mika Reyes, Majoy Baron, Kim Fajardo, Kath Arado and Alleiah Malaluan, with Seth Rodriguez anchoring the backcourt.
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