Sisi Rondina may be the reigning PVL MVP, but she knows that there is still room for improvement in her game.
Whenever Sisi Rondina finds herself in the back row, she is well aware that opposing servers see her as a prime target.
That proved evident in Choco Mucho's thrilling, five-set escape act over Petro Gazz in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, where Rondina's floor coverage was put to the test.
[Related: PVL: Sisi Rondina, Choco Mucho escape Petro Gazz in five sets for win no. 2]
At the critical junctures of the fourth and fifth frames, the Angels sent their loaded serves towards the 5-foot-6 outside hitter, who acknowledges her weakness on the defensive end.
"Hindi na talaga ako nabibigla kung ako 'yung ita-target kasi aminado talaga ako na (floor defense) 'yung pagkukulang ko talaga kahit anong gawin ko," Rondina bared.
"Kanina medyo ano lang ako kanina, kapag dikdikan 'yung laro, nabo-bother lang talaga ako minsan. Parang nagmi-mix na 'yung naiisip ko kasi kanina straight yung tatlo ata, misreceive lahat 'yun kaya sakin galing 'yun," she then recalled.
Not one to back down from a challenge, the reigning league MVP displayed grit and buckled down for Choco Mucho.
Rondina relied on her muscle memory, which she has refined through countless hours of training, to keep the ball alive before positioning herself for an attack attempt.
"Ang ginagawa ko lang talaga, as long as kaya kong pagandahin, muscle memory ata 'yun, basta nag iisip na kaagad ako na nasa server palang 'yung bola, iniisip ko kaagad na kailangan maganda 'to," she shared.
"And sinasabi ko talaga sakanila na kapag maganda 'yung receive ko, puntosin natin kasi minsan lang 'yun."
As the dust settled, Rondina finished with 22 excellent receptions to go along with a team-high 24 points, steering the Flying Titans to their second straight win.
For such a spirited performance, the former UST Golden Tigress is glad that her efforts to sharpen her defensive prowess has been paying off.
"Syempre masaya ako kasi sa araw araw kong ino-overload 'yung reception ko may bunga namang nakikita. So happy for me," she gushed.