A record crowd of 19,106 fans filled the SM Seaside Cebu Arena on Saturday, October 10, as the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) brought its All-Filipino Conference to Cebu City.
The attendance set a record for the arena. The league's overall record remains 24,459, set at the 2023 All-Filipino Conference finals between Creamline and Choco Mucho at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Creamline begins title defense
Defending champion Creamline, an 11-time PVL champion, opened its campaign with a 25-18, 25-21, 25-18 sweep of Akari. Jema Galanza led the Cool Smashers with 16 points.
For Creamline star Alyssa Valdez, it was her first PVL game in Cebu. "In all honesty, I never thought we could fill an arena again. It's been a while," Valdez said. "We were really overwhelmed."
She said she hoped the league would return to Cebu more often. "We can keep coming back here because Cebu really seems to love volleyball," she said.
PBA legends Ramon Fernandez and Dondon Hontiveros, as well as former SEA Games volleyball gold medalists Thelma Barina and Grace Antigua, were among those in attendance.
Choco Mucho completes comeback
At the same venue, Choco Mucho came back from two sets down to beat Capital1, 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8.
Eya Laure, who had just returned from the Asian Games with the national team Alas Pilipinas, led the Flying Titans with 22 points, 15 excellent receptions and 11 digs. Maddie Madayag added 11 points, while Sisi Rondina-Rosales scored 12 points in three sets of action.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin said he challenged his players after the second set. "I told them I didn't need players who were just talented; I needed a team that wanted to win," he said.
For Capital1, Erika Santos scored 22 points in her debut, while Bella Belen and Vanie Gandler each added 15.
The PVL is marking its 10th year in 2026.
