Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin is buzzing with excitement as he welcomes the return of star outside hitter Sisi Rondina and the debut of Eya Laure for the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.
“Una, masaya and syempre excited ako sa naging resulta ng pagkuha namin kay Eya and syempre pagbalik ni Sisi,” Alinsunurin said during the season-opening press conference at Discovery Suites last Wednesday.
Rondina missed Choco Mucho’s last two campaigns — the PVL On Tour and the Reinforced Conference — while focusing on her duties with Alas Pilipinas. The commitment helped her clinch a historic beach volleyball gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games last December.
Meanwhile, Laure is finally cleared of a non-compete clause from her previous contract, ending a year-long absence from the league and allowing her to make her Choco Mucho debut.
“Alam namin na malaki yung maitutulong nung dalawa sa’min sa pagdating ng conference,” Alinsunurin said, noting the impact of both players on the team’s upcoming campaign.
Alinsunurin praised Rondina for her leadership and the energy she brings to the team, qualities that were sorely missed over the past two conferences. He highlighted how Rondina leads by example in practices, constantly motivating her teammates on both offense and defense, and setting the standard for effort and communication.
(C) PVL Images
“Alam mo, mula nung dumating siya, even before pa nung naglalaro sa’min, sobrang… Yung presence pa lang niya sa court, pagsimula pa lang ng practice, talagang ramdam mo na yung energy ng team. Siya talaga yung push sa bawat ginagawa namin, from defense to offense, at kahit sa break namin,” he shared.
“Yung leadership niya normal na ginagawa niya. Talagang kinakausap niya yung mga teammates niya. Sobrang thankful ako na bumalik siya. Sana magtuloy-tuloy yung ganung ginagawa namin at yung kanyang pag-push sa bawat player na nandun.”
Alinsunurin also lauded Laure for her character, professionalism, and eagerness to learn. The 26-year-old outside hitter has been steadily integrating into the Flying Titans’ system, embracing coaching instructions while building chemistry with her new teammates.
“Si Eya kasi nag-aadjust pa lang sa’min. Although syempre, yung skill set niya nandun na, may mga bagay lang na kailangan naming tulungan siya at idagdag sa laro niya,” Alinsunurin explained.
“Totally naman, sobrang bait niya at sobrang receptive siya sa pagtuturo, kaya sobrang maganda yung relationship namin habang tinuturuan siya.”
Heading into the all-local conference, Alinsunurin is confident in his roster. Aside from Rondina and Laure, the Flying Titans bolstered their lineup with Alina Bicar, Jaila Atienza, and Caitlin Viray, following the departures of key players Cherry Nunag, Royse Tubino, Bia General, and Aduke Ogunsanya.
“Ngayon, bawat posisyon satisfied kami sa talent na meron kami. Sa opposite, meron kaming tatlo o apat; sa outside, lima o anim; middle at setter, kumpleto rin. Sobrang thankful kami sa management sa support nila sa bawat problema namin every conference,” he said.
#WATCH: EXCITED SA NAGING RESULTA 🏐
Dante Alinsunurin is glad to have Sisi Rondina back and Eya Laure in the fold for Choco Mucho’s #PVL2026 campaign#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/GTYirK5kdI
📹 @jonashdcd /Tiebreaker Times pic.twitter.com/OZ1jIbjJnD
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) January 28, 2026
