MONTALBAN, Rizal — Choco Mucho is off to a flyer.
The fan-favorite side had just enough gas to spoil Bella Belen’s long-drawn Capital1 debut, 33-31, 26-24, 25-23, in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at Ynares Center II.
Choco Mucho matched Belen’s pro league debut with a handful of returning mainstays in Maddie Madayag, Kat Tolentino and Dindin Manabat coming off either international stints or extended injury layoffs.
Trading leads and set points all-match long, the Flying Titans leaned on veteran smarts to turn back the upset-conscious Solar Spikers in three sets that were all too close for comfort.
READ: PVL hits out at PNVF as imports are a no-go for start of Reinforced Conference
Tolentino, who took an 18-month break amid from auditory issues in April last year and appendicitis in January earlier this year, made a statement comeback with 15 points and 11 digs.
“I think I’m just thankful to be back and thankful to play alongside the team. That in itself is already a blessing for me,” Tolentino said.
“Being able to contribute is also a plus but I know there’s still more I can give and it was really a team effort at the end.”
Taking on a bigger scoring role in the preseason, Isa Molde put up a solid 14-point outing ahead of Des Cheng’s seven-point, 11-reception display.
Close but not quite for Bella
Belen lived up to the hype and expectations as the league’s last rookie debutant with a triple-double off the bat.
Her UAAP-like numbers, one where she posted 20 points, 18 digs and 12 receptions, couldn’t push Capital1 to win tightly-contested cantos even after a series of strong starts.
“I’m very happy na nakapaglaro na po ako but sadly, hindi po kami nanalo. Sayang kasi feeling namin kaya pa namin ma-push pa ‘yung game pero kinapos lang,” the three-time UAAP MVP said.
It was another Alas Pilipinas ace in Leila Cruz who backed Belen at the frontlines with 18 points, but still not enough as no other Solar Spiker provided a steady scoring support to the pair of national team aces.
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