Choco Mucho star Sisi Rondina in action. PVL Media Bureau
MANILA — Sisi Rondina and the Choco Mucho Flying Titans drew praises from PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort and Kianna Dy on Saturday.
Rondina was a bright spot for the fan favorites in the loss, tallying a near triple-double of 23 points, 14 excellent receptions, and eight excellent digs as the High Speed Hitters came up with a four-set 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19 victory over Choco Mucho in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.
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Ricafort and Dy acknowledged how hard it was to hold off the former University of Santo Tomas star, describing her as "unstoppable," especially during the opening frame where the Flying Titans snatched the set win.
"Actually, buong game bigay talaga namin 'yung credit kay Choco [Mucho]. Wala talagang madaling game 'pag sila 'yung kalaban. Kumpleto kasi talaga sila, tao-tao ta's system-wise naramdaman namin 'yung service tsaka 'yun nga, good blocking team," said Ricafort.
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"Nahirapan din kami nung start na talagang unstoppable si Sisi, ina-anticipate din naman namin na ganun 'yung mangyayari. Bigay ko rin sa players na tiniyaga talaga na mag-adjust, tsaka 'wag mawalan ng pasensya. So, very happy na nakuha namin," he added.
"We all know na Choco [Mucho] is a very offensive team, and kita naman sa start na nag-struggle kami to contain ‘yung mga wingers," Dy said.
"So, sinabihan rin kami ng mga coaches kung ano ‘yung adjustments na kailangan for the blockings, and nakuha rin namin ‘yung rhythm eventually. Pero it wasn’t easy, so credits din sa Choco sa attacks nila," she added.
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PLDT tried to install a defensive wall on the net, intended to shut down—or touch—Rondina's attacks, said Ricafort. He acknowledged that they anticipated her hard-hitting spikes, and Dell Palomata was a huge addition to them, adding the much-needed height.
Rondina tried to mount a return in Set 4 with a pair of hits, powering a 4-0 run from the 23-15 count, but Alleiah Malaluan crushed Choco Mucho's hopes with an off-the-block kill and a game-clinching ace.
"'Yun na 'yun, bibigay mo talaga 'yung mga 'di maabot, 'yung mga sobrang lakas—and more on talaga sa patience ng namba-block. 'Yun at 'yun naman ang mabibigay namin sa kanya, so tinake na lang namin kung ano 'yung mga pwedeng kunin at 'wag mawala sa system na gusto namin i-pattern para sa kanya," said Ricafort.
"So, ganun talaga every time na nandiyan siya sa Choco, in-anticipate at triny trabahuhin—buti na lang talaga nakatulong nung pagpasok ni Dell [Palomata] kasi nakadagdag sa height."