It is Creamline versus Choco Mucho in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference Finals.
History, however, is not on the side of Choco Mucho in the lopsided Rebisco Clasico rivalry.
In nine total match-ups between the Cool Smashers and the Flying Titans, Creamline is a perfect 9-0.
During this conference, it was the Cool Smashers who dealt Choco Mucho its lone loss in the preliminary round. Cignal then added another in the semifinals.
However, Flying Titans leader Sisi Rondina remains unfazed by that record.
“Sabi ko nga paulit-ulit, nadadaan yan sa trabaho. And pag gugustuhin talaga namin, syempre patibayan talaga yan ng tiyaga, trabaho, at pasensya,” said the pocket-sized spiker from Cebu.
It was Rondina who top-scored for Choco Mucho in the do-or-die Game 3 against the HD Spikers. She picked up 21 points as they entered the Finals after a 25-20, 23-25, 26-24, 25-23 on Tuesday evening.
The two teams competing for the championship are in the extremes.
The Flying Titans are newbies in the title series, logging their first-ever Finals appearance after eight conferences in the country’s premier league. It also assured them of their first podium finish.
On the other hand, the Cool Smashers are the old-timers in the Finals. They have been to the championship round in 10 of the 13 conferences they’ve played in the PVL – six of which they emerged as the queens.
In fact, they have yet to miss the podium.
But for Rondina, every stat is out of the window. It’s zero wins against zero wins in the Finals and the first team to get two victories will get the crown.
“Alam naman natin na yung Creamline hinding hindi nagpapatalo, kami rin ipapakita rin namin kung ano yung mga natutunan namin and ano yung mga nag-improve at kaya namin,” said the University of Santo Tomas legend.
