Sisi Rondina urges patience amid Choco Mucho’s poor start in the All-Filipino Conference

The Choco Mucho Flying Titans are still searching for consistency early in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference after dropping their first two assignments of the tournament, a start that has placed them fourth in the team standings.

Their latest setback came at the hands of defending powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers, who imposed their will in four sets, 27-25, 17-25, 25-21, 25-15, on Tuesday, February 10, before a lively crowd of 12,600 fans at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Choco Mucho showed flashes of promise, particularly in a tightly contested opening frame that saw both teams exchange momentum. However, Creamline’s poise and depth proved decisive down the stretch, allowing the Cool Smashers to maintain their dominance in one of the league’s most compelling rivalries.

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Despite the slow start, Flying Titans star Sisi Rondina urged patience, emphasizing that the team remains a work in progress as it continues to adjust to new systems and rediscover its rhythm.

“We tend to lose patience. There are times when we are starting to find our rhythm, but we forget that everything coach wants us to do is effective, we just don’t execute it. That’s what we need to focus on and learn,” Rondina said in the post match press conference.

Rondina once again carried much of the offensive load for Choco Mucho, tallying 15 points while contributing 14 receptions in an all-around effort. But even her steady production was not enough to turn the tide against Creamline. The loss marked the Flying Titans’ 19th defeat in their last 20 meetings with the Cool Smashers, a lopsided stretch that continues to highlight Creamline’s firm grip on the rivalry.

Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin and Sisi Rondina after the loss. #PVL2026 @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/VafrHNAPby

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) February 10, 2026

The 2023 PVL Most Valuable Player (MVP) is also navigating a personal transition. Fresh off a historic campaign at the Southeast Asian Games, where she captured a gold medal in beach volleyball alongside Bernadeth Pons for the Philippines, Rondina is in the midst of readjusting to the indoor game and the tactical demands of Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin.

“Since I returned to indoor volleyball, I have learned a lot of new things from coach Dante, especially the new techniques he is adapting. That’s what we really need to work on, especially me, Eya, and the other spikers,” she added.

Alinsunurin echoed his star player’s sentiments, stressing that system familiarity and composure in critical moments remain areas of improvement for the squad.

“From our two losses, we clearly saw our mistakes. What we want to happen on the court was proven to be something we really have to execute, not just talk about. There were moments when we lost our patience, but like I said, it takes time to get what we want to see on the court, especially when we are out of system. We just need to adapt to whatever situation we are in at that moment.

“This league is long and a lot can still happen – you can end up in the Final Four or fighting near the bottom. In situations like this, we really need to prove ourselves more in the coming games,” Alinsunurin stated.

While the early losses have raised concerns, the Flying Titans remain confident that adjustments made now will pay dividends as the conference progresses. With a long schedule ahead and playoff positioning still far from settled, Choco Mucho has ample opportunity to regroup and build momentum.

The Flying Titans will attempt to halt their skid and notch their first win of the conference when they take on the Capital1 Solar Spikers on Tuesday, February 17, at the FilOil Centre — a crucial match that could help reset their campaign and restore confidence moving forward.

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