Games today:

(FilOil EcoOil Centre)

4 p.m. — Galeries Tower vs Cignal

6:30 p.m. — Choco Mucho vs Akari

Eya Laure’s chemistry with Choco Mucho and her level of competitiveness after a long layoff will be tested when the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference action erupts today at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Attention will be on the prized winger in her return to the league after almost two years of absence when the Flying Titans take on Akari in the main game at 6:30 p.m. in an early meeting of the last edition’s battle for third.

Meanwhile, a new-look Galeries Tower battles Cignal to open the exciting hostilities of the season-ending conference at 4 p.m.

Still, Laure draws much of the PVL fans’ interest and curiosity to see if she fits well with the crowd-drawing franchise. Choco Mucho supporters are also excited to see how the team will fare with Laure reuniting with college teammate and also returning wing bomber Sisi Rondina.

“Of course, we’re happy and excited to see what we can accomplish with the addition of Eya and the return of Sisi. We know those two will be a big help for us in the coming conference,” Flying Titans head coach Dante Alinsunurin said.

Laure is making her first appearance in the country’s first and only women’s professional volleyball league since her last tour of duty for the disbanded Chery Tiggo Crossovers during the 2024 AFC.

She left the Crossovers, the first-ever PVL champion in the pro era back in 2021, in late 2024 in a controversial split that reportedly included a non-compete clause for her release.

Laure’s acquisition by Choco Mucho was announced on New Year’s Day along with the signing of Alina Bicar, Caitlin Viray and Jaila Atienza.

Rondina, on the other hand, is back to reinforce the Flying Titans after a successful beach volleyball stint, winning a historic gold medal in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last month.

But the Chargers are no easy team to beat after making their own recruitment coup with the addition of Judith Abil, Cza Carandang, Rhose Dapol and Jyne Soreno.

The third-placer last season remains formidable with holdovers Grethcel Soltones, Fifi Sharma, Ivy Lacsina, Faith Nisperos and Eli Soyud.

On the other hand, the Highrisers had a major reset with 13 new players and the appointment of Aying Esteban as new head coach.

Esteban will bank on grizzled veteran Aiza Maizo-Pontillas to lead the rebuilding team that only retained Roselle Baliton, Julia Coronel, Winnie Bedana and Jean Asis from its lineup last season.

“Aiza will be a big help for us in guiding the younger ones on what to do. We have someone experienced leading the team inside the court. She will serve as the team’s Ate inside,” Esteban.

Familiarity and chemistry, meanwhile, will be the Super Spikers’ advantage with only setter Ivy Perez as their latest addition.

Vanie Gandler, Erika Santos, decorated setter Gel Cayuna and top libero Dawn Macandili-Catindig banner the intact roster of head coach Shaq delos Santos.