MANILA, Philippines – The Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ setter, Deanna Wong, was formally chosen Fan Favorite at the inaugural Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night. The honor was given in response to an online voting campaign that garnered tens of thousands of responses from supporters nationwide, demonstrating Wong’s enormous impact on and off the court.
Wong received a resounding 24,000 reactions to the online vote, which attracted a lot of participation. She surpassed several well-known volleyball personalities, including Bea De Leon with 6,400 votes, Alyssa Valdez with 10,000, and Jema Galanza with 12,000 votes. The outcome confirmed Wong’s continued appeal among volleyball players in the Philippines.
Her enormous social media following was a major factor in her victory. Wong has an impressive 2.4 million followers on TikTok, 1.4 million on Instagram, and 866,000 on Facebook. These figures show her brand appeal and public connection in addition to her on-court accomplishments. Her significance in the league goes well beyond her on-field accomplishments, as seen by her steadily increasing prominence.
The exciting Game 2 between Choco Mucho and PLDT in the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals was named Game of the Year in addition to Wong’s individual prize. Fans were held on the edge by the thrilling five-set contest that took place on March 20, 2025, at the Philsports Arena. With final set scores of 25–15, 12–25, 25–23, 21–25, and 15–13, Choco Mucho secured the victory.
Important players like Savi Davison of PLDT and Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho gave outstanding efforts during the game. Both athletes made major contributions to the game’s scoring and floor defense, which increased the game’s intensity. While PLDT relentlessly pushed the series to its utmost, the Titans’ ability to bounce back under duress in the fifth set demonstrated their poise.
It was one of the most watched and talked about games of the season. In the fan poll, it received more than 3,100 responses, outperforming previous exciting competitions. Those were Marina Tushova’s landmark 50-point performance for Capital1 and Creamline’s grand slam-sealing victory over Cignal, which drew 1,200 reactions. Though each nomination had merit, the Choco Mucho–PLDT duel’s close scores and erratic momentum swings made it the fan favorite in the end.
Additionally, the match was statistically noteworthy. Choco Mucho scored 64 attack points overall, while PLDT only scored 59. Both teams contributed six aces each, but the Flying Titans led in blocks with ten. A significant contributing cause was PLDT’s 27 unforced errors, which gave Choco Mucho the opportunity to take advantage of crucial moments, particularly in the decisive set.
Choco Mucho is expected to continue to be one of the league’s most competitive and followed clubs in the future, based on their recent performance trend and expanding fan base. They are already projected as serious semifinal contenders for the upcoming season, provided that their core group, which is led by Rondina, Wong, and Maddie Madayag, stays strong and united. Particularly in late-game situations where communication and leadership are critical, team bonding will be essential.
In the meantime, PLDT is still showing promise even after losing in the quarterfinals. The club is anticipated to return stronger with younger players gaining experience and Savi Davison developing into a two-way danger. They might emerge as a dark horse in the upcoming conference if they resolve their depth concerns and improve their end-game performance.
The purpose of the PVL Press Corps Awards Night is to honor the accomplishments of the players, groups, and games that have had a big impact on the season. This fan-driven project enhances community involvement and gives the league’s expanding media presence a more relatable touch.
Awards honoring fan favorites and standout games contribute to the PVL’s narrative as the league grows in popularity and level of play. In addition to celebrating athletic achievement, the awards also acknowledge the cultural and emotional bonds that are formed between teams and their fans.
Wong’s victory as Fan Favorite solidifies her status as one of the most respected athletes. She may be given more leadership duties both on and off the court as a result of her increasing influence. In the meantime, the Choco Mucho–PLDT matchup’s Game of the Year award emphasizes the league’s rising equality and the escalating drama in postseason volleyball.
Anticipation for what the 2025 season will bring grows as the offseason goes on. While returning talents like Wong continue to pique fans’ interest, teams are anticipated to strengthen their lineups through the next draft. Philippine volleyball looks to reach even higher heights as the league is fueled by skill, enthusiasm, and active fan participation.