Choco Mucho has secured the services of middle blocker Maika Ortiz for the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference set October.

Ortiz's entry will fortify Choco's defense that features Bea de Leon and Cherry Nunag.

The 30-year-old's experience from the 2021 PVL Open Conference championship run from her time with the Crossovers will come in handy.

The team has yet to reach the finals of the country's lone professional women's volleyball league since joining in 2019.

"The Choco Mucho Flying Titans officially welcome Maika Ortiz to the team! Backed with her playing experience and maturity as an athlete, Maika is surely a Flying Titan to look out for," the announcement said.

Ortiz was one of the seven players from Chery Tiggo that was released last August as part of the team's rebuild.

Also let go were Rachel Austero, Joy Dacoron, Ellaine Kasilag, Justine Dorog, Ariane Layug, and Julia Angeles after the Crossovers lost the title in the Open and failed to reach the semifinals of the Invitational.

Ortiz's inclusion also came at a time when Choco Mucho middle blocker Maddie Madayag is still recovering from her injury in last year's PVL Open Conference.

The Flying Titans placed fourth in this year's Open Conference but missed out on the semifinals of the Invitational Conference after winning only two of their six matches in the elimination round.