After eight months on the sand with Alas Pilipinas, Sisi Rondina made her indoor return with a bang, leading Choco Mucho to a straight-set victory over Akari on opening day of the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The former league MVP powered the Flying Titans to a 25-17, 25-23, 25-20 win at the Filoil Centre on Saturday night, scoring a team-high 16 points on 14 attacks, one block, and one ace — even while still adjusting to the indoor game.
With the victory, Choco Mucho joined Cignal as early leaders in the all-local conference.
“Honestly, nahirapan talaga ako, lalong-lalo na sa paglaro sa indoor kasi dapat ang adaptation ko two months,” Rondina admitted, coming off a historic gold medal campaign in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The 29-year-old outside hitter explained that she had initially planned a two-month adjustment period, only to find out that the season-ending All-Filipino Conference would kick off in January.
(C) PVL Images
“Nalaman ko na lang na January pala and meron pa sana akong bakasyon. Pero hindi ko na lang tinuloy kasi nga noong nalaman ko na sa January na ‘yung AFC, dumiretso na ako agad from adaptation,” said Rondina, the pride of Compostela, Cebu City.
“Lalong-lalo na sa paglaro sa SEA Games, one day lang tapos diretso na ako agad adaptation for indoor. So ayun, nandoon pa rin ‘yung gigil ko na makabalik. Masaya ako na kahit papano may napakita at nakapag-perform ako sa indoor.”
Despite the challenges, Rondina said the effort was worth it, expressing her joy at finally being back on the court with her teammates — and reuniting with former UST and Alas Pilipinas teammate Eya Laure.
“Masaya, kasi na-miss ko din talagang maglaro dito [sa] indoor with Choco Mucho and nadagdagan pa na kasama ko si Eya (Laure),” said the former UAAP MVP.
“Ayun sana, sabi nga ni coach [na sana] magtuloy-tuloy, and siyempre marami pa ngang tatrabahuhin. Ayun, one game at a time.”
#WATCH: NAHIRAPAN AKO SA PAGBALIK 🏐
Sisi Rondina is glad that, despite being away for a long time, she still delivered in her return to Choco Mucho#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/maXTCykkRA
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2026 pic.twitter.com/jj7CpKaywN
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 31, 2026
