Tia Andaya, middle, at the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft after being taken seventh overall by Choco Mucho.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American setter Tia Andaya is excited to join fan favorite Choco Mucho after emerging as the Flying Titans’ first-round pick in the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft on Sunday night at Novotel.

After hearing her name called as the seventh overall pick, the Alas Pilipinas pool member felt relieved after making the first and only pro volleyball league in the country.

READ: PVL: Alas setter Tia Andaya boosts stock at draft combine

Tia Andaya on joining fan favorite Choco Mucho. #PVLDraft2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/mgmNH5g3Jq

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) June 8, 2025

“I can breathe. I was stressing, but I’m super excited. I honestly wasn’t sure what was going to come out of tonight, but I’m super excited,” Andaya told reporters.

Aware of the huge fan base of the Flying Titans, Andaya hopes to help her team win more games in their upcoming conferences.

“I’ve heard. It’s, I’m definitely going to have to adjust, but it’s going to be a learning curve, but I’m excited. It’s going to be super fun to play for a crowd,” Andaya said.

Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin will have a good problem of having four setters as Andaya joins fellow Alas setter Mars Alba, social media megastar Deanna Wong, and veteran Jem Ferrer.

It will take time for him to find the right mix and rotation, but for now, he’s just happy to draft the best player available.

READ: Tia Andaya embraces fresh start in PVL amid Alas Pilipinas stint

“What matters is we got the draftee we really wanted. As for what comes next, who to use, what adjustments to make, we’ll figure that out as we go. What’s important to me is we got the best available player from the top 12 that we needed,” Alinsunurin said in Filipino.

“We’re really thankful we were able to get her (Tia). I know she can contribute a lot to Choco Mucho’s game because she fits what we’re looking for and the kind of system we want to run. Personally, I sometimes prefer spikers who give us an advantage, but of course, that’s not always the case. Still, I believe she’ll really help us with whatever goals we set for each conference.”

Andaya, who played for Gonzaga University and Central Washington in the NCAA Division 1 before taking her act to Romania and Albania, remains patient as she embarks on a new chapter in the PVL.

“One step at a time. I think just taking things as they come. Staying grounded and just focusing on volleyball is going to be how I get through it,” Andaya said.