Sisi Rondina and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans ended their four-game losing skid with a huge four-set win over the Akari Chargers in Game 2 of the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference bronze medal series.
Sisi Rondina couldn’t help but smile—and breathe a sigh of relief—after the Choco Mucho Flying Titans finally ended their four-game skid with a crucial Game 2 win over the Akari Chargers in the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference bronze medal series.
Rondina poured in a game-high 26 points built on 25 attacks and a block to lead the Flying Titans to a 25-18, 25-22, 27-29, 25-19 win at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, April 10.
For the fiery team captain, the win was more than just a stat in the standings—it was an emotional release after a string of painful losses that started in the semifinals.
“Nakaka-miss ‘yung ganitong feeling kasi simula nung semis, hindi kami nakatikim ng ganitong panalo,” Rondina said during the post-game press conference. “Sabi nga ni coach, may nawala pero nag-step up ‘yung iba. As a captain, sinabi ko lang talaga sa mga kasama ko na kaya nating agawin ‘yun. Mag-trabaho lang kami.”
Choco Mucho appeared cursed with misfortune after losing key players like Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Maika Ortiz before the semifinals.
The Flying Titans went from riding a 10-game winning streak to dropping four straight matches, including a heartbreaking five-setter to the Chargers in the series opener for bronze.
But Rondina said the team’s mindset never wavered.
“Sabi nga namin, magpa-tawas na kami kasi ang daming nangyayari,” she joked. “Pero despite sa mga nangyari, ‘yung positive pa rin ‘yung iniisip ng team. Masaya ako kasi ganito pala ‘yung feeling. Nakaka-miss.”
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The 5-foot-6 outside hitter credited her teammates and the coaching staff for staying composed and focused, especially when momentum swung back and forth in the third set.
“Hindi ako ‘yung nagbalik,” she added. “Nire-remind lang kami ng coaches na kanya-kanyang recover. Isipin namin na hindi pa tapos ‘yung game.”
Despite falling short of the championship goal, Rondina emphasized how important it is for the team to keep pushing for a podium finish.
“Podium is a podium,” she said. “Kaya tiyatiyagain namin, hindi kami titigil, at tatrabaho kami hangga’t makuha namin.”
As it stands, Choco Mucho can secure the bronze should Petro Gazz close out the championship series against Creamline later in Game 2.