MANILA – Cherry Ann Rondina displayed her all-around game as Choco Mucho Flying Titans scored a 25-18, 25-20, 25-21 triumph over Cignal HD Spikers in the PVL 1st All-Filipino Conference on Thursday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
The diminutive Cebuana volleybelle finished with 23 points, including 22 attacks and a block, to go with eight excellent receptions and six excellent digs to be named Player of the Game for Choco Mucho.
According to the 5-foot-6 Rondina, the Flying Titans never expected the match against the erstwhile undefeated HD Spikers to end in straight sets since the latter was also on a hot streak.
“Hindi ko rin masabi kanina na ganun ang game (straight sets) kasi nirerespeto talaga namin ang Cignal,” Rondina said in a post-game interview. “Pero naka-mindset na kami na kailangan namin maipanalo ito.”
“Nag-connect lang talaga lahat. ‘Yung sistema (ni coach Dante Alinsunurin) nandoon, lahat ng mga in-overload namin nagbunga, and nakuha namin ang panalo,” she added. “Lahat talaga ng mga trinaning namin lumabas in this game.”
With the victory, the Flying Titans tied their sister team, the Creamline Cool Smashers, on top of the standings with a 4-0 win-loss slate, while the HD Spikers dropped to a 3-1 record.
Meanwhile, Petro Gazz Angels gave Farm Fresh Foxies a tough reality check with a 25-21, 27-25, 25-19 beating. The Angels improved to a 4-1 win-loss slate, while the Foxies dropped to 2-3.
Jonah Sabete showed the way for the Angels with 11 points, built on nine attacks and two blocks, while also contributing eight excellent digs to earn Player of the Game honors.
According to the Escalante City, Negros Occidental-native, the Angels faced a tough challenge in the second set, where they overcame a 21-24 deficit to secure a 27-25 set win.
“Siguro parte na ng laro namin ‘yung maghabol,” Sabete said in a post-game interview. “Ang mindset lang namin kapag nalalamangan kami is pilitin lang namin dumikit ng dumikit hanggang sa makuha namin ‘yung lead.”/PN
