Kat Tolentino and Maddie Madayag had themselves a dashing return, powering Choco Mucho to a hard-fought 33-31, 26-24, 25-23 win against Capital1 in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference on Tuesday at the Ynares Montalban.
Tolentino and Madayag, who both overcame health setbacks in the past, returned to Choco Mucho’s bench as if they never left, powering the Flying Titans to a strong 1-0 start in Pool A of the import-laden tournament.
Choco Mucho also spoiled the highly anticipated PVL debut of top overall pick Bella Belen, as the Solar Spikers fell short despite mounting multiple comeback attempts to open their campaign at 0-1 in the same group.
Tolentino unleashed four straight attacks early in the third to send Choco Mucho a comfortable 16-12 lead, before Capital1 crawled back with a 5-0 run capped by a KC Galdones block on Isa Molde as the Solar Spikers took a 17-16 cushion.
Belen, who’s coming off her national team duty with the Alas Pilipinas Women, tied things up at 19-all before she unloaded back-to-back kills, including one over the tall wall of Madayag and Tolentino, to help Capital1 take a slim 22-21 advantage.
Madayag, though, retaliated with a quick hammer but her teammate Honey Royse Tubino committed an attack error that once again saw Capital1 holding the lead, 23-22.
A late substitution featuring Dindin Santiago-Manabat — another player coming off an injury — proved pivotal, as the 6-foot-2 winger capped a rally with a down-the-line hit from the right side to tie the game at 23-all.
Madayag then put the punctuation, unleashing two consecutive blocks on Rovena Instrella to complete the sweep victory.
Tolentino led all scorers with 15 points on 12 attacks, two blocks, and one ace together with 11 digs while Molde supplied the help with 14 markers. Madayag, who also had a Japan and Alas Pilipinas stints, had five points to mark her PVL return.
—JMB, GMA integrated News
