Marlee Smith eager to return to the PVL for “redemption” after early exit with Choco Mucho

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans capped a difficult campaign in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) Reinforced Conference on a high note, defeating the Akari Chargers 25-23, 21-25, 25-23, 25-21 in their final group match at the Ynares Center in Montalban, Rizal, on Tuesday, November 18. Despite the victory, the Flying Titans finished with a 3–5 record, falling short of a quarterfinal berth.

Import Marlee Smith played a pivotal role in Choco Mucho’s parting win, delivering 18 points and hammering down the match-clinching hit. And although their campaign ended early, Smith expressed her desire to return to the PVL, eager to redeem herself and showcase her full abilities to Philippine fans.

“Yes, for sure. You will definitely see me again, I promise you. The Philippines will see me again. I feel so welcome, so loved. The atmosphere is unmatched. I have never been anywhere where the fans are like this. I have never been anywhere where the team is so popular, so it still really feels good,” Smith said in the post match press conference.

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“You feel loved, you feel supported, you feel like you could do anything. You feel unstoppable. I would describe my time here in that word, unstoppable,” she added.

Marlee Smith reflects on Choco Mucho’s 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference campaign as it comes to a close, sharing the lessons she learned with the Flying Titans that she’ll carry with her for life. | via Jamie Velasco/One Sports#OSOnTheSpot #PVL2025 #TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/RHDKo7I45f

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) November 18, 2025

The American opposite hitter proved her worth throughout the tournament, finishing as Choco Mucho’s top scorer with 86 total points—an average of 12.29 points per game.

The 26-year-old also shared that the experience, along with the team’s early exit, taught her valuable lessons.

“I discovered that when I fall down, I have to get back up, no matter how many times you fall. If it’s nine, you get back up 10. I have learned to put my growth above my wants. I need to develop into a player who can set her pride aside and leave things that don’t matter off the court. I feel like I have learned persistence, and I’m going to take that back home because it’s a really important step in life.

“To be successful at anything, whether in sports or in a job, you have to be persistent,” Smith concluded.

Having played professionally in Thailand and now in the Philippines, Smith has gained valuable international experience. Whether she returns to Choco Mucho or joins another PVL club in the future remains an intriguing storyline to watch.

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