Honored was the reigning MVP Sisi Rondina after meeting Gilas Pilipinas hero Justin Brownlee following Choco Mucho’s straight-set victory over Cignal on Thursday night.
The Gilas Pilipinas star was in attendance at the Philsports Arena to watch Rondina and the Flying Titans take on the HD Spikers in their elimination round encounter in the 2024 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
The 5-foot-6 dynamo did not disappoint and delivered a game-high 23 points to lead Choco Mucho’s 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 victory over Cignal.
“Isang karangalan kasi knowing him na isa rin siya sa mga manlalaro dito sa Pilipinas and tinitingala ng young ones sa basketball and grateful kasi ano yun eh, nakaka-boost ng confidence and napakaganda sa feeling– kasi idol ko rin yun eh,” said Rondina.
Brownlee, who waited inside the media room right after the match to meet and take a picture with Rondina, revealed in an interview earlier that he idolizes the 27-year-old volleyball star because of her all-around game and high leaping ability.
The pride of Compostela, Cebu, shared that she is also a fan of the three-time PBA Best Import.
“Mataas din siya tumalon, yung mga pa-ikot niya na pagda-dunk kaya ayun, nakikita din kasi namin siya dati sa Petron days namin kaya nagkakakitaan kami,” she added.
Rondina said that it was a privilege to meet Brownlee, who played a major role in Gilas Pilipinas’ historic gold medal win in the 19th Asian Games.
“Kinakabahan nga ako sa english kanina baka mapalaban pa ko. Pero ayun, ano naman, ano lang overwhelming lang siya para sakin kasi Brownlee na yun tsaka champion pa yung sa Asian Games, tama diba,” said the former UST star.