By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Not all heroes wear capes.
Sometimes, they are just captivating thousands of sports fans donning a volleyball jersey.
In a wild and rowdy atmosphere during the kick-off date of the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference playoffs, bonafide superstar Sisi Rondina put the whole crowd on their feet after leading the Choco Mucho Flying Titans to a stunning come-from-behind victory over the PLDT High-Speed Hitters, 20-25, 19-25, 25-15, 25-20, 18-16, to open their quarterfinal bid on a high note on March 15, 2025, at the Philsports Arena.
Down two sets to none, the Flying Titans rode on the hot hands of Rondina who pummeled the High-Speed Hitters with her efficient offensive brilliance that helped force a deciding fifth set.
It was all PLDT in the first two sets as their quick 1-2 offensive plays ran for Savannah Davison connected at will with little resistance coming from the ladies in purple.
Davison piled up her scoring total in the early phase of the game and led the High-Speed Hitters to a set away from bagging their opening match in the playoffs but Rondina wouldn’t be denied and put up a performance for the ages.
Rondina quickly flipped the switch when the Flying Titans needed her the most in the third and the fourth periods, earning her points from the backline attacks and off-the-block kills.
Up 23-17 in the fourth, Rondina moved Choco Mucho to a set-point advantage after a spike from the left side. PLDT was able to answer back and inch close but veteran hitter Royse Tubino iced the set with a powerful hammer that paved the way for the decider.
Choco Mucho gained their footing and took control of their momentum in the fifth after reaching match-point, 14-12, but Davison refused to back down and saved the High-Speed Hitters with back-to-back spikes that equalized the match at 14-all.
After that sequence, the Rondina-Davison duel gave volleyball fans the ultimate treat as both franchises’ offensive gunners provided clutch spikes down the stretch.
Davison tied the game at 15-all, then Rondina responded with a fast twitching spike that once again put the Flying Titans in match point.
Fiola Ceballos revived the hopes of the High-Speed Hitters after leveling the affair, but a service error from Dell Palomata cost PLDT the game, with Choco Mucho wrapping things up with Rondina’s off-the-block kill.
Rondina erupted for 31 big points built from 29 successful attacks including two service aces while also anchoring the Choco Mucho floor defense with 15 excellent digs and 12 excellent receptions.
Also supplying the much-needed offensive punch for the Flying Titans was Tubino, who turned back the hands of time with 20 markers derived from 17 successful attacks.
“Syempre nagpapasalamat ako sa pagkapanalo namin. May mga kailangan pa kaming ayusin kasi talagang nung first and second set, struggle kami sa floor defense namin. Buti na lang nung third set na-challenge ko sila,” said Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin after his team’s gutsy win.
