Despite falling to the Creamline Cool Smashers for the 12th straight time, Sisi Rondina stays optimistic for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
Choco Mucho can’t quite seem to solve the challenging Creamline puzzle.
Despite being poised to decode the Cool Smashers in their marquee clash in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night, the Flying Titans crumbled against the defending champions yet again with a deflating straight-set 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 loss at the jam-packed Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This marked the 12th straight time Choco Mucho lost to its decorated sister team since entering the league in 2019.
Reigning MVP Sisi Rondina, unaware of the losing streak, expressed her faith in a larger purpose, believing there's a reason behind every outcome
“Hindi po [ako aware],” Rondina, who poured 17 points and eight receptions in the defeat, when asked about Creamline’s constant mastery over her team.
“Ano lang din, we'll wait for the time na makapanalo din kami soon [sa Creamline]. Everything happens for a reason.”
Prior to the clash with the Cool Smashers, the Flying Titans had never lost in straight sets in the season-opening conference. Their previous defeat came at the hands of the PLDT High Speed Hitters in five sets.
Rondina credited Creamline for such a well-prepared effort. She also vowed that Choco Mucho will remain undeterred, despite the loss.
“I mean ‘di talaga natin mape-predict agad 'yung laro. Credit din talaga sa Creamline na pinag-aralan din 'yung laro namin. And I think meron lang din kaming mga lapses kanina sa game and bounce back lang. Trabaho lang,” the 5-foot-6 dynamo said.
“Basta natuto kami kanina. And tatrabahuhin namin ulit. Sabi nga rin kanina na back to the drawing board kami.”
Choco Mucho, which remains perched atop the standings with a 8-2 record with 24 points, continues its pursuit of a semis berth.
A win over Creamline could have earned Rondina and Co. the first Final Four spot in the intense race. However, it was not meant to be for the Flying Titans, who now set their sights on taking down the Farm Fresh Foxies on April 23, Tuesday, to book a trip to the next round.
“Siyempre wala naman ding magbabago, pupunta kami sa laro na naka-mindset and siyempre 'yung winning na mindset. And siyempre maglaro nang buo, magtrabaho, and ipakita lang namin kung ano 'yung mga tine-training din namin,” Rondina said.