Sisi Rondina, despite finals loss, shows why she’s PVL MVP

HIGHLIGHTS: PVL Finals Game 2 Creamline vs Choco Mucho

Sisi Rondia.–PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — More than emerging as Choco Mucho’s first Premier Volleyball League (PVL) MVP,  Sisi Rondina spelled the difference in the Flying Titans’ season as her leadership, scoring prowess, and infectious optimism led them to an All-Filipino Conference to remember.

Rondina left everything on the floor, pouring in 33 points — the most points scored by a local in the PVL Finals — but it wasn’t enough as Choco Mucho failed to extend the series against the Creamline Cool Smashers in Game 2, 25-22, 20-25, 27-29, 26-24, 12-15, at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday.

But the high-flying outside spiker still got her flowers for a stellar season-ending conference, raising the MVP trophy before a record-breaking 24,459 crowd at the Big Dome.

Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin heaped praise on Rondina for her eagerness to help the team rise from four consecutive seventh-place finishes as her hard work in practice and games, day in and day out, motivated her teammates to reach their full potential.

“Umpisa pa lang talaga yun yung gusto niyang mangyari yung makatulong sa team kaya naman talagang in-accept niya yung offer namin sa kanya sa Choco Mucho. Talagang mapakita niya yung skills niya sa volleyball.” Alinsunurin said. “Actually, hindi lang naman score ang tinutulong samin ni Sisi eh, the way siya mag training everyday, yung mindset niya talaga yung team namin is nahahawa talaga kaya sobrang thankful ako sa ginagawa niya na kahit may nararamdaman siya, sinasabi niya ‘coach hanggat kaya ko, lalaban at lalaban ako’.”

Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina with Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons.–PVL PHOTO

Maddie Madayag, who used to be Rondina’s rival in the UAAP Season 81 finals four years ago, agreed with Alinsunurin, saying that the Cebuano spiker lit the fire under the Flying Titans since she joined in the Invitational Conference.

“Iba yung puso ni Sisi pagdating sa laro and sobrang ganda lang ng pagpasok niya kasi medyo down kami nun pero isa talaga siya sa reason kung bat nabuhayan yung team kasi kung ano yung nakikita namin sa kanya naabsorb namin. Si Sisi positive kung ano anong mga gustong gawin pero naging inspiration namin siya sa loob,” Madayag said.

Rondina was exhausted after Game 2, politely declining interviews but during her MVP acceptance speech, she credited her success to her coach.

Alinsunurin appreciated the gesture but he deflected the credit to Rondina and the Flying Titans, who worked hard to achieve a lot of things to end the season.

“Siyempre thankful ako sa binibigay niya sa akin na appreciation pero sabi ko nga, hindi ko rin namin makukuha kung hindi dahil sa players and coaching staff, importante sa akin talaga nagkakaintindihan kami, nagkakabalikan kami ng idea kung ano yung dapat naming gawin para lalong tumaas yung level namin,” he said.