Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina after Game 2 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals against Creamline.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sisi Rondina kept her head up despite another bridesmaid finish for Choco Mucho, believing that the Flying Titans’ time to win an elusive PVL title will come.
Rondina left everything on the floor with 31 points but her best effort still couldn’t extend the series as Choco Mucho blew a 2-1 lead and fell to Creamline, 20-25, 25-20, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11, in Game 2 of the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Finals in front of 23,162 fans on Sunday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Lahat naman ng nangyayari may rason and kita niyo naman mismo kung paano namin nilaro yung laro kanina,” said Rondina, who had 28 attacks, two blocks and an ace to go with 10 digs. “Hindi naman binigay ng madali sa Creamline. Sabi ko naman sa kanila matalo na tayo basta wag lang natin ibibigay ng madali yung laro. Happy ako sa silver at magandang reward para sa amin.”
READ: PVL: Sisi Rondina delivers anew for Choco Mucho
It’s the second straight time that Rondina and the Flying Titans got swept by Creamline on the biggest stage.
The PVL Best Outside Hitter urged her teammates to keep on dreaming until they finally get over the hump as the key to the team’s growth as a legitimate title contender has been their work ethic.
Sisi Rondina.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“Lagi kong sinasabi ko a kanila na every time na naglalaro, maniwala, magtiwala, at manalo,” said Rondina. “Wala kaming pagsisisihan kasi siyempre binigay naman namin best namin. Sinabi ko lang din sa dugout na ‘wag na ‘wag tayong titigil mangarap kasi darating at darating yun.”
READ: PVL: Madayag can’t wait to have a healthy Choco Mucho back
Choco Mucho lost two players this season after Aduke Ogunsanya suffered another ACL injury early in the season, while Kat Tolentino missed the latter part of the conference due to an auditory condition. Des Cheng is still recovering from the ACL injury she sustained last year.
The Flying Titans still finished the elimination round with a 9-2 record and swept three games in the semis including a breakthrough win over sister team Creamline after 13 meetings to return to the Finals for the second straight time.
“We’re dedicating this to Aduke, Kat, Des, and siyempre sa management. Sabi ko nga whatever happens sa larong to ngayon at least binigay natin ang best natin. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na tandaan niyo kung san tayo nanggaling. Masaya kasi may mga result na maganda although hindi kami nakakuha ng championship,” Rondina said.