ANTIPOLO — Familiarity played a key role in Dawn Catindig’s decision to join Choco Mucho, giving the veteran libero a sense of security as she embarked on a new chapter in her Premier Volleyball League (PVL) career.

Although she was joining a new team, Catindig was already familiar with the people behind the Flying Titans. Her stint with Alas Pilipinas Women had given her firsthand experience of the care and support that the Rebisco management extends to its athletes.

That trust proved especially valuable for the 30-year-old defensive specialist, who was looking for a new home in the league for the second time following the disbandment of F2 Logistics and Cignal.

With Choco Mucho, Catindig found comfort in joining an organization whose culture she already knew, making the transition easier as she embraced another fresh start in the PVL.

“Siguro choosing Choco Mucho as my team after Cignal, pinili ko talaga ‘yung alagang Rebisco,” said Catindig.

“Kasi na-experience ko na rin sa national team, lagi silang nandoon from the start, ever since I started with the national team. So alam kong hindi nila kami pababayaan, so ayun, very happy naman ako na napunta ako sa Choco and I’m very happy with my teammates, coaches, ‘yung sistema. Very happy ako,” she added.

Her new chapter with the Flying Titans has gotten off to a promising start, with Choco Mucho winning its first two games in the PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab series.

The Flying Titans opened their campaign with a reverse-sweep victory over Capital1 before following it up with a dominant win against ZUS Coffee, building early momentum as Catindig settles into her new surroundings.

The former PVL Best Libero recorded 16 excellent digs against the Solar Spikers before tallying 14 more in Choco Mucho’s straight-set triumph over the Thunderbelles on Thursday at the Ynares Center here.

(C) PVL Images

“Sobrang happy ako kasi may connection na ako with the team and sana tuloy-tuloy ‘yung pag-gel namin,” said Catindig.

“Very happy lang kami, especially ‘yung support ng bawat isa nga grabe lang talaga na pinu-push namin ‘yung isa’t isa. I’m happy to help in any way I can, especially sa role ko as libero and as an ate. ‘Yun, ginagawa ko lang ‘yung best ko to support the team,” she added.

Meanwhile, Choco Mucho star Eya Laure believes Catindig’s arrival has added another dimension to the team’s leadership, bringing valuable experience and a familiar presence to a squad looking to build on its strong start.

“I think yung nakikita ko kasi since si ate Des ‘yung captain ball namin, malaking bagay yung pagpasok ni ate Dawn kasi parang nandun yung familiarity kung paano siya magj-jel with the leadership of Ate Des,” said Laure, who has been Catindig’s teammate on the national team for the past three years.

“So kumbaga talagang nagko-complement na nagbibigay talaga ng kung ano ‘yung view ng isa’t isa. Siyempre, lalo na si Ate Des offense, tapos si Ate Dawn defense naman. So parang ang sarap lang sa feeling na nafi-feel namin yung relationship nila na na-se-spread nila sa team din. And ang ganda ng effect,” she continued.

“Actually, mas nagiging vocal din kami sa isa’t isa kung ano yung mga feedback na puwede naming sabihin. Parang nagiging open na din lahat and lahat talaga willing to adjust and to do better every day.”

For Catindig, the priority is to continue building chemistry with her new teammates as the conference progresses. She is embracing the opportunity to learn more about the team while finding ways to contribute beyond her defensive responsibilities.

She also hopes to draw on her experience to help Choco Mucho sustain its strong start and make a deeper run in the tournament.

“Sa pagiging athlete kasi, minsan iba yung galaw namin sa training. Iba rin pagka-pukpukan na na may pressure sa game. So these past two games, nakikilala ko yung team, lalo na kapag high pressure na,” Catindig said.

“So natutuwa naman ako kasi yung growth namin sobrang evident and um parang sana magtuloy-tuloy siya and through all uh this very long conference um maging successful pa and mas magtulungan pa kami sa isa’t isa.”

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Brooke Van Sickle is glad to be back on the court after enduring a bittersweet recovery that saw Nxled make history by reaching the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference finals without her.

Van Sickle returned to the Chameleons’ lineup after missing the PVL On Tour and Invitational Conference due to a minor tear in her right shoulder.

It was a challenging couple of months for the 28-year-old outside hitter, especially as she watched from the sidelines while Nxled made its historic run in the Invitational Conference, eventually settling for silver after falling to Thai side Est Cola in the championship round.

While proud of her teammates’ achievement, Van Sickle admitted that being unable to join them on the court made the experience difficult.

“So, the process was bittersweet. They made it, you know, they supported me every step, so it was easy that way. But then, you know, (it was hard) missing the game and having to watch from afar,” Van Sickle said.

“I mean, no athlete likes to be injured, right? During that time, it was really tough at moments, but I had the support of my coaching staff, our teammates, too, and management and ownership. They supported me every step, so it was easy that way,” she added.

(C) PVL Images

Despite being sidelined, Van Sickle remained proud of how the Chameleons rose to the occasion, crediting head coach Ettore Guidetti for building team chemistry and bringing out the best in everyone during their historic Invitational campaign.

“It’s really cool that we’re able to podium, get second. That was first in Nxled history,” she said. “The girls fought and grinded really well, and Coach Ettore did a really good job, able to get everybody flowing and playing really well with each other and good chemistry.”

Back to full fitness, Van Sickle immediately made her presence felt in Nxled’s 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 victory over PLDT in its opening game of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference Siklab series at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday night.

The former Season MVP finished with a game-high 11 points on 10 attacks and one block, along with eight excellent digs, in the 80-minute victory.

With her return bolstering the Chameleons’ lineup, Van Sickle hopes the team can sustain its momentum throughout the ongoing conference, particularly with its depth allowing different players to step up when called upon.

“It’s really good to be back. So, I thought it’s just going really well, and I hope to continue to see this improvement as the conference goes on. So, I think no matter, like, who’s the starting six, everyone’s producing really well. So, yeah, I’m really proud of everyone,” she said.

Her return also gives Van Sickle the opportunity to finally play alongside setter Gel Cayuna, a partnership she had long looked forward to since arriving in the Philippines.

“Since I got here in the Philippines, I’ve always wanted to play with Jackie and Gel, or both of them. But, yeah, I’ve always, you know, thought Gel was one of the best setters in the country, and I really wanted to play with her,” she said.

“So, it worked well for me.”

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Nxled welcomed team captain Brooke Van Sickle back with a convincing 25-16, 25-20, 25-18 victory over PLDT to kick off its campaign in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Siklab series on Tuesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Van Sickle missed the entire PVL On Tour and Invitational after sustaining a minor tear in her right shoulder. Despite her absence, the Chameleons finished with the silver medal in the Invitational, falling to guest team Est Cola in the championship round.

Nxled will look to build on its strong start when it takes on Farm Fresh on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre.

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