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Sisi Rondina, the Cebuana sensation, ignited a wave of transformation for Choco Mucho in just her second conference back after four years on the sands.
Her exceptional talent, skills, and indomitable spirit earned her the coveted title of the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All-Filipino Conference MVP on a thrilling Saturday night.
Despite the Flying Titans falling short in a gripping five-set match against Creamline, they left an indelible mark on the court in front of a record-breaking crowd of 24,459 at the iconic SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The award ceremony that followed showcased Rondina's humility and team-first mentality. She graciously presented her shining MVP trophy, earned over two months of intense competition, to her teammates, expressing gratitude to the management and supporters.
"Thank you to everyone who came here to watch our game. I have nothing else to say but a big, big thank you to Sir Jonathan Ng, Rebisco management, and all of you," said the 5-foot-6 high-flying spiker during her MVP speech.
"Even though we didn't get the gold today, this award is for our team."
In Game 2 of the Finals, Rondina delivered a stellar performance, amassing 33 points with 29 attacks, three blocks, and an ace—a PVL Finals record for most points by a local player in a championship game.
The University of Santo Tomas legend humbly redirected the credit for her MVP award to head coach Dante Alinsunurin.
"If there's an MVP, it's for Coach Dante. We really thank him for his system and program," Rondina acknowledged.
Alinsunurin, fresh from leading National University-Sta. Elena to the Spikers' Turf Invitational Conference title, guided Choco Mucho to its first-ever podium finish—a silver.
Alinsunurin recognized Rondina's dedication and emphasized her impact beyond scoring.
"From the beginning, she wanted to help the team. She accepted our offer to join Choco Mucho, and not only did she contribute in scoring, but her daily training, mindset, and determination influenced the team. I'm extremely thankful for what she's doing—despite any discomfort, she says, 'Coach, as long as I can, I will fight and give my all.'"
Rondina's stellar performance throughout the conference included leading the league in scoring during the semifinals with 236 points and impressive statistics in spiking, receiving, digging, and serving—a testament to her all-around prowess on the volleyball court.
