Sisi Rondina makes her debut for Choco Mucho in the PVL Invitational Conference. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — After a four-year absence from indoor action, Sisi Rondina showed the same intensity and energy to make an immediate impact on the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference.
The high-flying 5-foot-6 spiker hardly showed any signs of rust from long inactivity as she debuted in style with a game-high 14 points in Choco Mucho’s dominant 25-14, 25-7, 25-16 win over Farm Fresh on Thursday at FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
Rondina said she didn’t feel the jitters in her pro debut as she remained focused on her goal to contribute to the Flying Titans.
“Ako, honestly, hindi ako kinabahan. Parang normal lang ba kasi mas kakabahan ako sa beach volleyball kasi international. Dito kasi parang same faces,” said Rondina shortly after the game. “Ang iniisip ko lang kanina kailangan ko magtrabaho and kailangan kong makatulong. Yun lang walang iba.”
(Honestly, I didn’t feel nervous. It’s like a normal game because I got used to the jitters from the international beach volleyball tournaments. Here in the PVL, I’m playing with familiar faces. I only thought that I need to do my job and help my team.)
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin lauded the impact that Rondina made on the team through her game. And the former UAAP MVP from University of Santo Tomas said she only showcased her talent and tried to inspire her teammate.
“Pinakita ko lang din kung paano ako maglaro para mas ganahan yung mga kasama ko,” she said. “Overall naman ang ginawa ko is tumulong and magtrabaho kasi kumbaga lahat kami leader and kailangan namin ipakita para hindi naman maput to waste yung mga tinuro sa amin the past months.”
(I showed how I play so it will energize my teammates. Overall, I helped and did my job because all of us are leaders. We have to apply all the learnings from the past months so it won’t be put to waste.)
But Rondina admitted she is still adjusting to her transition from the sands to taraflex.
“I’m still working on my attacks because the blockers are still catching my attacks,” she said in Filipino. “My transition is not easy but I trust the process and the program of coach Dante. Hopefully, we can bring this all throughout the league.”