Reigning MVP Sisi Rondina shares how she approaches each Choco Mucho game and her playmakers, Deanna Wong and Mars Alba, as the Flying Titans continue their semis bid in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
As the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference progresses, it becomes increasingly evident that Choco Mucho has no intention of heavily relying on one setter alone.
This was the case on Tuesday night when the Flying Titans banked on the playmaking of Mars Alba in the opening frame before Deanna Wong took over for the rest of the way en route to a straight-set drubbing of the Galeries Tower Highrisers.
With a pair of distinct playmakers generating the offense on a regular basis, Choco Mucho ace and reigning league MVP Sisi Rondina sees no concern when it comes to her connection with the two setters.
“Honestly, hindi ko talaga naiisip ‘yung mga ganiyang sitwasyon kasi may tiwala naman ako sa setters namin and sa teammates ko,” the 5-foot-6 dynamo said after the match.
For Rondina, who rattled off a game-high 16 points, the key lies in embracing the strengths and unique qualities of each setter by learning their tendencies in practice.
“Basta inaaral ko rin talaga ‘yung mga sets nila, kung paano nila ibato, kung paano nila i-set sa akin,” the high-flying outside hitter shared.
“Kung sino man ‘yung ilagay ni Coach (Dante Alinsunurin) diyan, ang sasabihin ko lang sa kanya, ‘ Tiwala ako sayo, pagkatiwalaan mo ako’.”
While she has unwavering faith in her teammates, Rondina also recognizes that there will be instances where Choco Mucho may struggle with the first ball and thus have to play with limited attacking options. For this reason, she spends a generous amount of training time on being out-of-system.
“Siyempre mas inaral ko ‘yung out of system talaga na, I mean mas prinactice ko talaga ng maayos ‘yung out of system palagi sa training. Hindi naman kasi talaga perfect ‘yung mga receive and lahat nagkakamali kaya doon ako nag focus,” she said.
With Choco Mucho rounding into form, Rondina is pleased to see the hard work of the team starting to pay off. And by pay off, the Flying Titans have regained a share of the top spot with a 6-1 record, tied with Creamline and PLDT.
“Masaya kasi sa araw araw naming tine-training nagbunga ‘yung mga ganung sitwasyon. ‘Yun naman talaga kailangan sa laro. Hindi lang isa, dalawa, kailangan lahat talaga, kapag sino ‘yung pinasok mag contribute. Sumunod lang din kami sa game plans and siyempre mas sinimulan namin sa magandang pasa,” the former UST star said.
As the Final Four race intensifies, Rondina and the rest of the Flying Titans seek to sustain their winning ways when they collide with the Capital1 Solar Spikers on April 6, Saturday.