League-leading PLDT, armed with one of the league’s most fearsome frontlines, was put to the test by Choco Mucho in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference on Sunday.
At the heart of their problems was the high-leaping 5-foot-6 Sisi Rondina, whose explosive attacks and relentless presence at the net kept the High Speed Hitters on edge throughout the match.
Rondina, as she has been for nearly every team she has faced, proved to be a thorn in PLDT’s side, repeatedly breaking through the defense and even powering Choco Mucho to a rousing first-set win that forced the High Speed Hitters to recalibrate their defense moving forward.
PLDT eventually carved out a hard-fought 23-25, 25-21, 25-19, 25-19 victory over the Flying Titans, even as Rondina finished with 23 points built on 20 attacks and three aces.
Kianna Dy, one of the High Speed Hitters’ primary defenders against Rondina, admitted she was eager to bounce back in the second set after the opening frame, acknowledging the difficulty of containing the Flying Titans star as several of the former league MVP’s hits managed to slip past or sail over her hands.
(c) PVL Images
“Kasi nung first set talaga wala akong makapa kay Sisi. As in ang taas, ang lakas. So really had to adjust, kasi kung hindi kami makaka-adjust, medyo baka magiba ‘yung results,” said Dy after the High Speed Hitters’ hard-fought win.
PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort echoed the same sentiment, noting that facing a player like Rondina often comes down to staying composed—accepting that some balls will get through the block, moving on quickly, and focusing on the next play.
Ricafort praised his players for staying the course, commending their patience and discipline on defense as they gradually adjusted to the relentless pressure brought by Rondina.
“Yun na yun, bibigay mo talaga yung mga hindi maabot, yung mga sobrang lakas, pero more on talaga sa patience ng naba-block,” said Ricafort, as the team finished with 12 blocks in the win that hiked their record to 7-1.
“Yun, at yun naman ang ibibigay namin sa kanya, kaya tinake na lang namin yung mga pwedeng kunin at siguraduhing hindi mawawala sa system na gusto namin para sa kanya,” he continued.
“Pero nakailan pala siya? Twenty-three. Ganun talaga — every time na nandiyan siya sa Choco, in-anticipate at trinay trabahuin. Buti na lang talaga malaking tulong nung pagpasok ni Dell [Palomata] kasi nakadagdag sa end.”
