Fireworks explode as Eya joins Choco Mucho

Choco Mucho ushered in the new year with a bang after making an explosive recruitment coup with the signing of highly sought-after winger Eya Laure.

While revelry for the dawn of 2026 filled the air early Thursday, the Flying Titans lit their own fireworks by announcing four names to fill their roster for the coming Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference, with Laure as their biggest catch.

The Rebisco ball club was quick to join the Laure sweepstakes after the controversial split of the Alas Pilipinas standout from his former team Chery Tiggo, back in late 2024.

Her formal departure from the now disbanded Crossovers reportedly included a non-compete clause, forcing her to sit out for over a year until the buyout contract’s expiration.

The 26-year-old focused on her stint with the national team during her pro hiatus while weighing down her options from multiple offers from other clubs, including Capital1 and Cignal.

Aside from Laure, the Dante Alinsunirin-mentored squad also welcomed setter Alina Bicar, Jaila Atienza and the return of Caitlin Viray after two seasons.

“The Choco Mucho Flying Titans welcome 4 new players to the team! They bring the grit, speed, and fire that will make every match unforgettable,” the club posted on its social media account.

“Ube Nation, get ready to cheer louder than ever for Jaila Atienza, Caitlin Viray, Alina Bicar and Eya Laure!!!”

Choco Mucho’s recruitment came on the heels of unloading Royse Tubino, libero Bia General and middle blockers Chery Nunag and Aduke Ogunsanya days before.

Expectations are high for Laure, who was named 1st Best Open Spiker during the 2023 PVL Second AFC, with the Flying Titans reeling from a dismal performance last year.

Without main scorer Sisi Rondina, who took a leave of absence to concentrate on her beach volleyball stint along with Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons for a historic gold medal finish in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, Choco Mucho failed to take off.

The Flying Titans missed the Invitational after a disappointing finish in the On Tour and were eliminated in the preliminary round of the Reinforced Conference. 

This time Choco Mucho will have a formidable scoring tandem in Laure and Rondina, who are reunited after helping University of Santo Tomas to a runner-up finish in the 2019 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s volleyball tournament. Rondina was named Most Valuable Player while Laure got the Rookie of Year honor that season.

Both wingers played for Alas’ indoor squad that took bronze in the 2024 AVC Nations Cup held at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.