The 5-foot-6 high-flyer exploded for 28 points in the back-and-forth affair.
On Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City, the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans gave the fans what will surely end up as one of the best games in the PVL Invitational Conference.
The thrilling five-setter went the Cargo Movers’ way, but it took everything they had, including a couple of timely challenges to wrestle away the victory from the Dante Alinsunurin-mentored squad.
One can say that it was a debilitating loss for the Flying Titans. After all, they went down in disheartening fashion, while also being denied of gaining solo first place in a stacked Group B.
For Choco Mucho ace Sisi Rondina, however, the setback only reaffirmed the tremendous belief she has in her teammates.
A funny wrinkle? These Flying Titans used to have their battles against one another in the UAAP. Rondina is a former UST Golden Tigress, team captain Bea de Leon donned the colors of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and Des Cheng, who exited the match due to heat exhaustion, is a De La Salle Lady Spikers standout. Yet, the team is looking as cohesive as they can be.
“Ako honestly, sobrang saya ko na gano’n ‘yung jelling namin ng mga kasama namin na iba’t-ibang UAAP players dati,” Rondina told reporters after the grueling match.
“Good thing kasi may nakukuha kami sa larong ‘yon. And kaya namin, kinapos lang,” she added.
In the end, the 5-foot-6 high-flyer expressed how proud she was of her squad’s performance, especially down the stretch.
“Ako, proud talaga ako kanina kasi ‘yung composure, ‘yung confidence, ‘yung focus nando’n talaga. Hindi lang binigay sa amin pero ok lang, masaya kami sa outcome,” Sisi explained.
The Flying Titans will look to get back in the win column on Saturday as they face the Petro Gazz Angels at 6:30 p.m.
(GM)