PVL: Choco Mucho feeling the effects of improved competition

Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL All-Filipino Conference. –PVL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Choco Mucho was pushed to its limits before eking out two consecutive wins against vastly improved expansion teams Capital1 and Galeries Tower in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.

Sisi Rondina pulled off an all-around 23-point outing to help Choco Mucho overcome a third-set loss against Capital1, 25-20, 26-24, 26-28, 25-9, for its second straight win in three games.

It has been a good start for coach Dante Alinsunurin and his Flying Titans but the road gets tougher from here on out, especially with the rise of expansion teams and the the effects of the first-ever Rookie Draft last July.

READ: PVL: Choco Mucho turns back Capital1 for 2nd straight win

“Right now, our team and other teams are feeling that the competition is getting tougher because of the drafting system,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin. “It’s really changing the dynamics of the league, even before the PVL started.”

Alinsunurin, who also benefited from the draft with their lone pick Lorraine Pecaña at 11 as the rookie has been stepping up in the absence of captain Maddie Madayag, believes that another batch of Rookie Draft will take the league to another level. 

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina during a PVL All-Filipino Conference game. –PVL PHOTO

“Maybe after one more draft, the teams will really balance out, and you’ll see the competition continue to rise,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin.

In the face of improved competition, Alinsunurin knows the Flying Titans’ performance in three games so far has left a lot be desired.

READ: PVL: Choco Mucho grinds out five-set win over Galeries

“Honestly, I still feel our performance is lacking. Comparing it to our past Finals appearances, we’re not meeting the level we want, especially in dominating our offense and improving our service-receive, which currently has a very low percentage,” said coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“We’ll work on our service-receive every day so that the team and I can feel that we’re gradually getting back to where we want to be this conference.”

Rondina, who had 17 kills, four blocks, and two aces to go with 12 digs and nine receptions, also knows they have to improve with other teams catching up to the level of All-Filipino play set by champion Creamline and runner-up Choco Mucho in the past two championship games.

“I’m just focusing on overloading the areas I need to work on and being patient until I regain my rhythm,” said the former All-Filipino MVP. “I think it’s only my fifth week back in training and games after taking a one-and-a-half-month break. Even though it’s challenging, I’m steadily getting back into form during training.”

Rondina, though, still lauded the character of her team, which tried to fight back from a 16-21 deficit in the third but still fell short, allowing Capital1 to force another set.

“For us, whether we’re trailing or catching up, I always remind them that as long as the score hasn’t reached 25, we still have a chance to come back,” she said. “We managed to close some runs, so I know we can do it. Maybe there were just moments when we stopped or fell short of reaching what we needed to.”

With a week to prepare before facing the 2-0 Cignal next Thursday at Philsports Arena, Alinsunurin eyes continuous improvement for the Flying Titans.