Choco Mucho could claim the bronze medal in the 2024-25 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference late Thursday night, despite being tied with Akari in the battle for third place.
This, however, hinges on Petro Gazz finishing the job and sweeping Creamline in the championship series.
But if Flying Titans captain Sisi Rondina had her say, she’d prefer an all-or-nothing Game 3, as it would also mean that their sister team, the Cool Smashers, would have forced a rubber match.
“Ayun, sabi rin naman ni Sir Jonathan Ng kumpletuhin namin yung podium, kasi diba yung Criss Cross (sa Spikers’ Turf) nag-second? So we’re praying na manalo rin mamaya yung Creamline para may magandang outcome,” said Rondina after Choco Mucho defeated Akari in Game 2, 25-18, 25-22, 27-29, 25-19, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Siyempre Creamline. Magchi-cheer kami mamaya may balloon kami para sa Creamline,” she added, when asked who Choco Mucho would root for in Game 2 of the Finals, which Petro Gazz currently leads 1-0.
The Flying Titans would secure the bronze medal if the Angels complete the sweep of the Cool Smashers, as they have superior match points — four compared to the Chargers’ two. This is because Akari’s Game 1 victory was a 24-26, 21-25, 25-15, 25-18, 15-11 reverse sweep.
(C) PVL Images
In the FIVB Ranking System, a win in three or four sets awards the victors the full three match points, while a five-set win splits the match points, with two going to the winner and one to the loser.
If Creamline avenges their loss and takes Game 2, it would set up a deciding Game 3 between Choco Mucho and Akari for the bronze. If that happens, the 5-foot-6 explosive spiker from the University of Santo Tomas is confident in her team’s chances.
“Kung ako lang — kung ako lang — oo naman naniniwala ako sa team ko. And regardless kung ano man yung outcome, sabi nga diba, wag na natin isipin yung future kasi mata-trap lang, stay in the present,” said the Flying Titans captain.
“Pero kung pag-uusapan natin yan, ako hindi ko ipapahiya yung team namin and para sa akin, kaya namin kasi naniniwala ako sa team namin.”
However, should the conference end tonight, Rondina would feel incredibly proud of earning the bronze, especially after the record six-month-long conference in which Choco Mucho lost several players due to injuries.
Kat Tolentino has missed most of the tournament due to appendicitis, while Dindin Manabat has been sidelined for the semifinals and the battle for third place due to a knee sprain.
“Achievement is achievement talaga. Kahit saan man kami mapunta ngayon, sobrang proud ako kasi maraming may gusto sa kung ano yung meron kami ngayon na naglalaro sa battle for bronze and finals. And ito, iche-cherish namin ito. Hinding-hindi namin ito papakawalan,” said the pride of Compostela, Cebu.
“Ang saya kaya umuwi ng may medal, kahit ibang kulay yun. Alam mo ako kasi, every time na may medal ako, umuuwi ako ng Cebu bitbit yun tapos binibigay ko yun sa tatay ko pag sinusundo ako. Kaya yun yung pinakaginagawa ko talaga — podium is a podium, and ayun. Trabaho ng lahat yun, wala kaming dapat pagsisisihan.”
#WATCH: Sisi Rondina is cheering for a Creamline win later, because she’s confident Choco Mucho will take Game 3 vs Akari if there is one 🏐
📹 @justinvalencia_ /Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/ksFcawtgXE
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 10, 2025
