Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina in the PVL All-Filipino Conference semifinals.–PVL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — It’s a no-brainer who Choco Mucho would turn to for a big-time performance in a high-stakes game.
Explosive winger Sisi Rondina did not disappoint in all three semifinal matches, delivering the goods in propelling the Flying Titans to another finals dance in the Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
Rondina rose to the occasion averaging double figures as the focal point of Choco Mucho’s offense in completing a sweep of the round-robin Final Four and securing a second straight championship appearance.
Her production and on-court leadership earned her the unanimous vote for the PVL Press Corps Player of the Week citation for the period of April 30 to May 5.
The 27-year-old outside hitter poured in 32 points built on 30 attacks, one block, and an ace along with nine digs and seven receptions to beat Petro Gazz, 23-25, 26-24, 25-19, 25-20, to formally claim a finals berth on Sunday in front of a 17,834-strong crowd at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ: Choco Mucho books PVL Finals rematch vs Creamline, beats Petro Gazz
Choco Mucho set up a second title date with defending champion and sister team Creamline in a best-of-three series unwrapping Thursday.
“Thankful kami, hindi lang dahil sa akin eh. Yung mindset namin sa isa’t isa, Lalo na yung mga naglalaro like nakikita mo talaga sa mukha. ‘Atin to. Kaya natin to!,” Rondina said.
“Ang ginagawa talaga namin yung mapigilan yung kalaro namin na makapuntos sa amin. Sumusunod lang kami sa sistema sa plays namin,” she added.
The former UST star played a pivotal role in their first-ever victory over the Cool Smashers, fighting their way back from a two-set deficit to pull off a 13-25, 19-25, 25-21, 25-20, 18-16 upset.
READ: Double celebration for Sisi Rondina as Choco Mucho, UST make finals
Rondina delivered 23 points from 21 attacks, one block, and an ace on top of 14 excellent receptions as Choco Mucho ended a 12-game head-to-head futility over Creamline.
The win gave the Flying Titans solid momentum to sweep Chery Tiggo, 25-20, 25-19, 25-23, where Rondina starred with a triple-double of 18 points, 14 digs, and 10 receptions.
Rondina garnered all 16 votes from print and online scribes covering the league organized by Sports Vision.
The reigning MVP bested finals-bound Alyssa Valdez and Jema Galanza of Creamline, and Brooke Van Sickle and Jonah Sabete of Petro Gazz, who will face Chery Tiggo in the battle for the bronze match, which is being streamed live on www.pvl.ph.