PVL Open Conference: Choco Mucho, Galeries down ZUS Coffee, Capital1 in play-ins

Choco Mucho and Galeries pulled off separate gutsy wins in their respective play-in matches to stay alive in the 2026 PVL Open Conference on Tuesday. 

The Flying Titans battled through fatigue to carve out a gritty 21-25, 25-22, 19-25, 25-11, 15-11 win over ZUS Coffee and advance to another knockout game against Akari. 

Sisi Rondina sizzled with 27 points and 15 receptions while Maddie Madayag posted 19 markers anchored on 14 attacks, three blocks, and two aces. Eya Laure and Kat Tolentino chipped in 13 and 12 markers each. 

Choco Mucho stretched a slim 3-2 lead in Set 5 to a huge 8-2 cushion after Madayag, Rondina, and Tolentino fueled a 5-0 rampage capped by a service ace before Laure sent them to a 12-5 advantage after unloading a heavy kill from the left side. 

ZUS Coffee, though, staged a fightback when the tandem of Chinnie Arroyo and Kate Santiago sparked a 4-0 blast that trimmed the gap to just three, 9-12. 

Tolentino then unleashed a cross kill from the opposite side to clinch the match point before Rondina finished it off from the other side as Choco Mucho lived to fight another day. 

In the first game, Galeries hung tough in an extended Set 3 to complete a 25-16, 25-20, 30-28 sweep against Capital1 and remain in contention. 

Young middle blocker Jean Asis exploded for 17 points built on 12 attacks, three blocks, and two aces while Gayle Pascual and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas churned out 14 and 12 markers apiece. 

Galeries, which finished ninth in the preliminary round, will face Nxled in the next round.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News