With American import Marlee Smith steadily finding her rhythm, Choco Mucho shook off a roller-coaster start in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference, subduing Nxled in a hard-fought 25-23, 25-19, 25-22 sweep at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night.
The Flying Titans needed to grind out every set against a hungry yet winless Nxled side, but with Smith slowly rediscovering her offensive groove and the team responding collectively under pressure, Choco Mucho stayed on track for a Top 3 finish in Pool A with a 2-1 record.
The win came as a crucial rebound after the Titans suffered a straight-sets loss to the unbeaten powerhouse PLDT High Speed Hitters, which briefly disrupted the momentum they had built from an inspiring opening win against Cignal – a match they won even without Smith.
With Farm Fresh (3-0) and PLDT (2-0 at presstime) occupying the top two spots in Pool A, Choco Mucho’s second win gives them a grip on provisional third, inching closer to qualification for the next phase, where the top three teams will face off against the bottom three from Pool B.
In just her second game back after missing the opener, Smith once again led Choco Mucho with 20 points, matching her debut output. While she failed to surpass that mark as she had hoped, her growing presence and poise under pressure provided the spark the Titans needed – particularly in the tight third set.
“I know I need to be resilient. It’s not gonna go perfect every time,” said Smith, reflecting on her performance. “But I’m always fighting for my team. Win or lose, we stay together.”
Smith admitted to a shaky start, as she struggled to find her timing early in the match. But she methodically worked her way into form, reading the defense better, adjusting to sets with more precision and finishing with a flourish.
Her biggest moments came when it mattered most. With Nxled holding a 20-18 lead late in Set 3, the Chameleons looked poised to extend the match. But Smith, reinserted after a short rest, took over. She nailed two consecutive points – one off a high-flying crosscourt and another through the seam of the block – to hand Choco Mucho a 22-21 lead, its first of the set.
From there, she kept her foot on the gas, adding another point to bring the team to match point before Nxled’s final challenge on a potential block touch went unrewarded, handing Choco Mucho the straight-sets victory.
“It was a good game. We’re still adjusting with the setter and Smith, pero unti-unti na kaming nagkaka-rhythm at nakuha rin namin yung panalo,” said Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin.
While Smith was the focal point, the rest of the Flying Titans provided solid support. Isa Molde contributed 11 points despite a late service error, while setter Tia Andaya had a standout all-around performance with 15 excellent sets, eight points, and three of the team’s 12 blocks – highlighting Choco Mucho’s 12-4 advantage at the net.
Middle blockers Lorraine Pecaña and Cherry Nunag chipped in five points each, helping the team match Nxled’s 40-attack output while dominating the defensive and transition battles.
“Everybody contributed and did our job. We work hard every day in practice and it showed on the court,” said Smith.
Despite another strong effort from Spanish import Paola Martinez, who also tallied 20 points, Nxled dropped to 0-3. Martinez had flashes of brilliance, but once again lacked consistent support.
Lyann de Guzman stepped up with nine points and showed glimpses of her PVL On Tour form, while Chiara Permentilla added eight points, though marred by several unforced errors. Krich Macaslang chipped in four markers.
Setter Jaja Maraguinot tried to keep the offense running with 15 excellent sets but struggled to create clean opportunities against Choco Mucho’s tight block and disciplined coverage.
