Choco Mucho Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin saw good contributions from both rookies, Jen Villegas and Ayesha Juegos, in their first game of the PVL on Tour.
Young players became the game-changer for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, who have to deal with injuries and national team call-ups, as rookies Ayesha Juegos and Jen Villegas both stepped up to the plate in their four set win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers in Batangas on Saturday.
Despite being new to the pro scene, Juegos and Villegas did not falter in their debut — each scoring seven points in an optimistic victory for the Flying Titans who were missing Sisi Rondina due to national team commitments.
Villegas was picked 19th overall in the 2025 PVL Draft, having been chosen in the second round, while Juegos was a free agent signing after going undrafted earlier this month.
Even if they weren’t considered “blue chip” recruits, Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin knew that they were going to change the dynamic for the Flying Titans from the get-go. Even during training, both players were able to have immediate impact.
“Umpisa palang nung nag-practice sila, sobrang laki na ng impact sa'min kasi kulang-kulang nga kami,” Alinsunurin said after their win over Galeries Tower.
“Yung energy nila sa loob, sa team namin, na kahit na alam mo 'yun, hindi sila nagsasalita pero pinapakita talaga nila yung energy nila na makakatulong sa team.”
Though it was veterans like Isa Molde and Des Cheng who did the heavy lifting in scoring with 20 and 13 points respectively in the victory, Alinsunurin said that Juegos and Villegas were able to affect their team in a positive way.
[READ: Isa Molde, Choco Mucho Flying Titans ace test vs Galeries Tower Highrisers in PVL on Tour]
Posing as new threats within Choco Mucho, both players from Adamson were able to get the attention from the defense, which also opened up more opportunities for their teammates as well.
With the two newcomers getting in tune with the system, everything has been running smoothly for Choco Mucho, even if their playmakers were on national team duty.
Meanwhile, Kat Tolentino and Dindin Santiago-Manabat are continuing to nurse injuries.
But with fresh legs now in the lineup, Alinsunurin is hopeful that they can get things going in the preseason tournament.
“'Di naman ako nagulat [sa performance nila] pero sabi ko nga, kapag sila 'yung nasa loob ng court talaga, nag-iiba 'yung dynamics ng team — nagiging mabilis, nagiging [maayos] yung adjustment namin, nakakaadjust,” he said of the two players.
“Nadadala 'yung pressure sa amin. Siguro sila kasi sobrang naglalaro lang talaga sila every time pinapasok sa loob ng court,” he added.
Choco Mucho faces a quick turnaround as they face the NXLED Chameleons on Sunday, June 29, still at the Batangas City Sports Center.