They're ready to make the fans proud.
It's no secret that sister teams Choco Mucho Flying Titans and Creamline Cool Smashers are fan favorites in the PVL. Long-time beach volleyball partners Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons realized just how much the support was after they joined the two squads for the Invitational Conference.
"Nakaka-overwhelm kung paano nila kami winelcome. 'Di lang yung team, pati 'yung fans din," Pons told One Sports' The Game on Wednesday as she officially signed with Creamline. "Grabe 'yung tiwala sa'min."
Rondina, who will be part of Choco Mucho, had nothing but love for the fans of the ube girls.
"Makikita naman talaga kung gaano ka-supportive at bakit supportive ang fans ng Choco Mucho."
The Philippine Queen of Sands shared how she felt the love from the Flying Titans, even as early as the Southeast Asian Games.
"Nagcha-chat na sila, kailan daw ako magte-training. In that way, welcome na agad ako," Rondina recounted.
It wasn't too hard to gel either, as the former UST Golden Tigress noted that the Flying Titans now have three former UAAP team captains in her, former Ateneo Blue Eagle Bea de Leon, and De La Salle Lady Spiker alum Des Cheng. All of them played against each other in Season 81.
"Para kaming redeem team sa team namin ngayon," Rondina said.
Meanwhile, Pons said she didn't feel any pressure to play for the defending champions of the PVL Invitational. But she did take the time to review her previous games.
"Utak ko beterano talaga ako, pero naninibago ako sa indoor. Before ako nag-training, nag-review ako ng games kung paano maglaro para ma-refresh na lang din ako ulit," she recalled.
"Andun pa ko sa process na nag-aadapt sa system ng Creamline, 'di siya ganun kadali."
The PVL Invitational Conference is expected to be more competitive with three new teams expected to join—the Foton Tornadoes, the Farm Fresh Foxies, and the Quezon City Gerflor Defenders.
Pons though is ready to show they can still compete after a four-year break from indoor volleyball.
"Nakaka-excite ulit maipakita sa kanila kung paano kami maglaro as Sisi and Pons—from different teams but sister companies," Pons said. "Sisters pa rin!"
(GM)