Sisi Rondina praises Brooke Van Sickle following Choco Mucho's escape act over Petro Gazz in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
This rang true for Sisi Rondina, who embraced the challenge of repulsing Brooke Van Sickle when Choco Mucho fended off the tough challenge of Petro Gazz last Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the PVL All-Filipino Conference.
"Chinallenge ko 'yung sarili ko kasi mas may height si Brooke e. And ang ginawa ko lang ay paano ako maglaro, paano ako magtrabaho," the reigning league MVP shared.
"Pinapakita ko lang din na kahit kaming ganitong maliliit, pinapakita rin namin kung anong meron kami."
The 5-foot-6 Rondina showed heart, delivering a team-high 24 points and 22 excellent receptions.
The UST product's two-way performance buoyed the Flying Titans over the Angels in a cardiac 24-26, 25-23, 25-18, 24-26, 15-13 affair.
On the other end, Van Sickle churned out a triple-double of 18 markers, 22 excellent digs, and 15 excellent receptions.
Though the Filipina-American's efforts went for naught, it certainly did not go unnoticed.
Rondina, a perennial representative of Philippine beach volleyball in overseas tilts, tipped her hat to Van Sickle, who also played indoor and beach volleyball in the US.
"Ang galing niya talaga. Experience, andun talaga," Rondina said.
"Noong nagsimula na 'yung laban, sabi ko, ang lakas talaga. Kahit sa pwesto ng kwatro, natatamaan niya kami."
Despite the winning outcome, the Flying Titans squandered plenty of opportunities to finish off the Angels.
Lapses need to be addressed, stressed Rondina, and Choco Mucho will be using this close-shave victory as a lesson moving forward.
"Siyempre ang sabi ko nga kanina, charge to experience namin 'yun kanina. Like 'yung character namin talaga na nakikita kanina. Nangyari rin 'yung kanina, siguro may rason, siguro wake-up call o kung ano man," Rondina stated.
"Tinatanggap namin 'yun and alam namin na matutunan namin 'yun sa mga susunod namin na games."