LIVE UPDATES: PVL Finals Game 1 Creamline vs Choco Mucho
Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina. –PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines —Even though Choco Mucho is one loss away from getting swept by Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2023 second All-Filipino Conference Finals, Sisi Rondina knows that the fight is not over.
Rondina, who had to play through pain in her left knee in the Flying Titans’ in their PVL Finals debut on Thursday, is confident that her team can bounce back.
“As coach Dante [Alinsunurin] said, the fight is not finished. We even got the semis even losing Game 1. I think we can bounce back. We just need a good mindset and recovery,” said Rondina in Filipino after scoring 17 points and 19 excellent receptions in her PVL finals debut.
Although they remained winless against Creamline in 10 games, Rondina was pleased and proud with how the Flying Titans fought, playing like it was not their first Finals appearance against the winningest PVL club.
“We’re happy with our performance even though we didn’t get Game 1 but we showed a fighting aura. The coaches also said that they’re proud,” Rondina said. “We will keep on fighting. We know that Creamline won’t let us beat them. We’re just enjoying our game.”
Rondina hurt her left knee after a collision with their libero Thang Ponce early in the third set but she continued to play.
The former UAAP MVP out of UST admitted she heard something “pop” but she will play in Game 2 as they try to extend the series on Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“I felt like I heard something pop in my knee. But I’m fine, I powered through it and I was able to stand up. I just shrugged it off,” she said.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin lauded Rondina’s determination in their team’s biggest fight so far.
“No matter what happens, she will fight through it. She told me after bumping her knee that her thigh hurt, but she said ‘I want to play until the game ends,'” said Alinsunurin in Filipino.
“As a coach, I’m very proud of her. She knows the team needs her offense and other things she does in the court, that’s why I’m very happy with her performance.”