PVL: Choco Mucho bounces back with sweep of winless Nxled

Choco Mucho withstood a third-set rally by upset-minded Nxled, eking out a 25-23, 25-19, 25-22 win to regain its winning ways in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

The Flying Titans bounced back from their loss to PLDT last Thursday to improve to 2-1 in Pool A while the Chameleons remained winless at 0-3 despite a gallant run late in the third frame. 

American import Anyse Smith ran the show with 20 points anchored from 18 attacks and two blocks while Isa Molde poured 11 markers and 14 receptions. 

Kat Tolentino tied things up at 17-all before Nxled clinched a slim 19-17 cushion off a Lyann De Guzman kill and block on Honey Royse Tubino while a Krich Macaslang quick hit made it a 21-19 advantage for the Chameleons. 

But composure and experience prevailed in the endgame as Choco Mucho eventually forced a 21-all deadlock, thanks to a Smith rejection on her counterpart Paola Martinez' opposite attempt. 

Smith would then end a long rally with a cross-court kill while a miscommunication between Nxled setter Jaja Maraguinot and her attacker saw Choco Mucho stretch that lead to 23-21. 

Another Smith attack, this time a down-the-line conversion, allowed Choco Mucho to reach the match point as Vela went wide on her final attack to allow the Flying Titans to complete the sweep. 

In the first game, Farm Fresh kept its unbeaten run intact following a 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22 win over Capital1 that was inspired following a breakthrough win last time against Nxled. 

Belgian import Helene Rousseaux torched the opposing team with a 36-point outburst built on 33 attacks, two aces, and one block while also collecting six digs as the Foxies improved to 3-0 in Pool A. 

The Solar Spikers, who were coming off a morale-boosting four-set win over the Chameleons, slipped to 1-2 in the same pool. 

—JMB, GMA Integrated News