By Adrian Stewart Co

Choco Mucho Flying Titans upgraded its roster heading into the 2022 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) season with the signing of Desiree Cheng and Maria Lina “Isa” Molde.

The Flying Titans formally introduced the two new recruits on their social media accounts yesterday as they hope to bounce back from a dismal campaign in the 2021 PVL Open Conference.

Cheng, a former UAAP Finals MVP and Best Server awardee for De La Salle University Lady Spikers, is expected to have a huge role at the Flying Titans camp after serving as one of the reserves in her former team F2 Logistics Cargo Movers.

The transfer also allowed the 5-foot-8 outside hitter to teamup with former collegiate rivals Kat Tolentino, Bea de Leon, Deanna Wong, and Pauline Gaston, all formerly of Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles.

Molde, a former PVL Collegiate Conference MVP awardee for University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons, is also a boost for Choco Mucho following her solid season with PLDT High Speed Hitters last year.

The 5-foot-7 Molde, who also had stints with Foton Tornadoes in the Philippine Superliga and Motolite in PVL, has committed to join Choco Mucho as early as December last year.

Cheng and Molde were the fifth and sixth new recruits of the Flying Titans this offseason after earlier signing Ilongga Aduke Ogunsanya, Tonnie Rose Ponce, Jemenea Ferrer, and Cherry Nunag.

The Flying Titans are aiming to bounce back from its fourth place finish during the 2021 PVL Open Conference in a tournament where they finished on top after the eliminations only to falter in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, star hitter Michele Gumabao has taken an indefinite leave of absence from 2021 PVL Open Conference runner-up Creamline Cool Smashers as she focuses on her political career.

“I am still with Creamline but I took an indefinite leave of absence,” Gumabao said in an interview with One News’ Wag Po. “My volleyball team will always be there to support but ito po ang priority ko as of the moment.”/ASC, WDJ