As the last huddle of Choco Mucho concluded, Sisi Rondina took a moment to herself and glanced over to the other side of the court, watching Creamline’s jubilant celebration before breaking into a huge smile.
Despite losing to the same team in the Finals for the second consecutive time, Rondina still held her head up high, believing that the Flying Titans’ time would come soon after another impressive campaign in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The former league MVP said that she had no regrets after coming in second again, as she knew that Choco Mucho left it all out on the court in the Finals series, where they managed to get a 2-1 lead over the Cool Smashers in Game 2 before folding in five sets.
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na tuwing naglalaro, maniwala, magtiwala, at manalo. Kaya gawin lang namin ‘yun, wala kaming pagsisisihan kasi syempre binigay namin ang best namin,” said Rondina.
“Ayun sinabi ko lang din sa dugout na ‘wag na ‘wag tayong titigil mangarap kasi darating at darating ‘yun,” she added.
(C) Joaqui Flores/PVL
Rondina, who fired 31 points to go along with 10 excellent digs in the Game 2 loss, believes that everything happens for a reason and knows that it’s only a matter of time before Choco Mucho finally breaks through.
“Lahat naman ng nangyayari ay may rason at kita niyo naman mismo kung paano naming nilaro yung laro kanina, hindi naman binigay ng madali ng Creamline,” said the 5-foot-6 dynamo, who takes pride in pushing the defending champions to their limit.
“Sabi ko naman sa kanila, matalo na tayo basta ‘wag lang natin ibigay ng madali yung laro. Happy ako sa silver at magandang reward para sa amin,” said Rondina.
After another conference of heartbreak, Rondina urged her teammates to remember where they came from and what they went through, using that as motivation heading into their next title quest in the Reinforced Conference.
“Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila na tandaan niyo kung saan tayo nanggaling, kaya masaya ako dahil may mga magandang resulta, bagaman hindi kami nakakuha ng championship. Sabi ko nga, whatever happens sa laro ngayon, at least binigay natin ang best natin.”
