Choco Mucho is tempering expectations for the coming 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference despite loading up on weapons, including prized winger Eya Laure.

Head coach Dante Alinsunurin now has a good problem of having at least a three-woman deep option in all positions following the Flying Titans’ recruitment coup in hopes of turning their fortunes around.

On paper, Choco Mucho sports a formidable lineup. Its campaign seems promising with the return of volume scorer Sisi Rondina after her successful beach volleyball stint with the national squad to join a rejigged roster.

But Alinsunurin doesn’t want to put too much pressure on his squad heading into the season-ending tournament, which will open on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

“Right now, I won’t be predicting where we’ll end up,” Alinsunurin said.

“What we want right now is to build the chemistry of the team since we’ve got new players coming in. We’re working on building our communication, to jell solidly and address what’s needed to improve their performance.”

The Flying Titans struggled since a runner-up finish in the 2024 AFC. Choco Mucho landed fourth in last year’s AFC, did not qualify in the Invitationals after a dismal 10th place finish in the inaugural On Tour and ended up at ninth place in the Reinforced Conference.

Rondina was also loaned to Alas Pilipinas for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand, where she won a historic gold medal but at the expense of the Flying Titans languishing at the bottom.

Choco Mucho ushered in the new year by winning the Eya Laure sweepstakes as well as adding grizzled veterans Caitlin Viray, Royse Tubino and Jaila Atienza.

“We’re very much satisfied that we have additional players in every position. Like we now have three to four players in the opposite spot. Five to six outside hitters, several options in the middle blocker and setter spots,” Alinsunurin said.