PVL: Sisi Rondina rallies Choco Mucho past PLDT in Game 1
Sisi Rondina roars after willing Choco Mucho to a thrilling comeback win over PLDT in Game 1 of the PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Sisi Rondina sizzled with a mighty kill at match point as the Choco Mucho Flying Titans pulled off a 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16 escape act at the expense of the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Saturday night in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All Filipino Conference.
Rondina erupted for 31 points capped by a power smash that completed the Flying Titans’ colossal fightback from two sets down to gain headway in their best-of-three quarterfinal clash.
But while the energetic hitter emerged as the runaway heroine of the night, setter Mars Alba proved to be the game-changer in their uphill climb.
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho blanks Chery Tiggo to secure quarterfinals spot
Sisi Rondina for the win! #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/WebGTgF0RA
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 15, 2025
“I was told to be ready after we got down in the first two sets. We slowly worked on erasing the deficit and were able to get it,” said Alba after tossing 16 excellent sets.
Honey Royse Tubino tallied 20 points and Isa Molde contributed 11 for the Flying Titans, who found it difficult to deflect PLDT’s forays early on.
Down by a set, the Flying Titans seemed ready to equalize in the second frame after climbing from a deep pit.
Tubino’s spike from the left pin, however, got deflected by Majoy Baron, shutting down Choco Mucho’s rally, before Molde saw her hit go beyond the line at set point.
Mars Alba sparked the Flying Titans’ comeback in the third set, her effort and demeanor contributing mightily to the overall energy of the team.
Four straight attacks by Rondina and Alba’s ace had them seizing full command, 19-12, while the High Speed Hitters fell into an array of miscues.
READ: PVL: Choco Mucho riding 6-game winning streak into qualifying round
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin, Sisi Rondina, and Mars Alba after pulling off a comeback in Game 1. #PVL2025 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/H1J5qz9ZXL
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) March 15, 2025
Molde’s drop shot and another ace followed by a critical block on Baron put them on the verge before Alba’s push on an empty space sealed Choco Mucho’s first set win.
The High Speed Hitters engaged the enemy in a tight encounter as they aimed to close it out in the fourth set before Rondina took the initiative and scored four hits, bringing the Flying Titans on the brink of stretching the match to the limit.
Ahead by seven after that Rondina drive to the back line, the Flying Titans gave up three points on errors, but were able to force the deciding fifth frame on a combination play that Tubino perfectly delivered.
“We won, but we must not get confident in Game 2. We know it’s going to be hard to reach the semifinals,” said Alba.
Savi Davison, who wound up with 24 points, again came to life in the final set, helping the Speed Hitters get back on track as they engaged Choco Mucho in a gripping exchange of firepower.
Davison and Mae Ceballos conspired that knotted the count one last time at 16, only to see Dell Palomata commit a service error on the next sequence, which Rondina took advantage of for the final kill.
