Choco Mucho Flying Titans star Sisi Rondina in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals against Creamline. -MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sisi Rondina said she drew inspiration from her volleyball idol Gabi Guimarães to lift Choco Mucho from two sets down and finally deliver their first win over Creamline in the PVL after five years.
Rondina rose from a slow start, dropping 23 points and 14 excellent receptions to stun defending champion Creamline in a five-set thriller, 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16, to kick off their semifinal campaign in the 2024 All-FIlipino Conference on Tuesday evening in front of 6,407 fans at Philsports Arena.
The reigning MVP channeled her inner Guimarães, a decorated Brazilian volleyball star and professional outside spiker in the Turkish pro league.
SCHEDULE: PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals 2024
“I was thinking about my idol Gabi, because I watched her highlight [videos] before going here,” said Rondina. “I was looking at how how she received the ball, her composure, and I was telling myself I hope she possesses me so that I can play even better.”
When the Flying Titans got swept by Creamline in the elimination round, Rondina took the blame for lacking floor defense leading to their second loss in the 11-game elimination round.
But the former UAAP MVP out of the University of Santo Tomas shrugged off her bad game and didn’t give up despite the 0-2 start against the Cool Smashers until she finally brought the franchise’s first win against the most successful PVL club since joining the league in 2019
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho beats Creamline for first time to kickstart semis bid
“All I was thinking about was to delivery the ball so we could play. There were a lot of lapses, but I had my mind set,” If I have to feed the setter over and over, I’d do it. Thankfully my receive wasn’t that stiff.”
Rondina attributed their winning start in the semis to her teammates as Mars Alba provided the plays, Royse Tubino backstopped her with 20 points and 12 digs, while Maddie Madayag and Thang Ponce defended the frontline and floor, respectively.
“All credits to teammates who really worked hard for this win. They were all trust and heart. Our mindset was as long as the ball hasn’t landed on the floor, the play isn’t over,” she said.
Rondina and Choco Mucho seek to return to the Finals for the second straight conference, battling Chery Tiggo on Thursday for its second win before wrapping up its semis round against Petro Gazz on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.