SISI Rondina, one. Savi Davison, zero.
It was Choco Mucho’s high-flying captain who drew first blood in a heavyweight duel with Davison in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference quarterfinals.
READ: Choco Mucho completes reverse sweep to take Game 1 over PLDT
Even as PLDT’s Fil-Canadian winger erased three Choco Mucho match points in the fifth-set tiebreak, Rondina still had the last laugh as her off-the-block power hit capped the Flying Titans’ Game One reverse sweep.
In doing so, Rondina posted 31 points, 15 digs and 12 receptions in which she outpaced Davison’s 25-point, 19-reception double-double.
More than the bragging rights of moving one up over the Fil-Canadian ace, Rondina humbly acknowledged how Davison brought out the best in her in the on-court battles they’ve shared over the last year.
“Grabe si Savi (Davison). Ibang player naman siya. Ako, ang dami kong natutunan talaga sa kanya every time na naglalaro kami, lalo na kapag ginagawan kami ng match-up, nacha-challenge din ako,” Rondina shared with SPIN.ph.
“Yung improvement niya rin, bukod sa elite na talaga siya na player, ang sarap sa pakiramdam lalo na pag naka-receive ako sa palo niya. Ay, ang lakas!”
READ: Heavy hitters Sisi, Savi take spotlight in PLDT-Choco playoff
The former PVL MVP was also first to admit how she has always considered Davison as her kryptonite, regardless of the outcome of their head-to-head matches.
“Alam mo, proud ako kasi, aminin ko talaga, kahit si coach (Dante Alinsunurin) aaminin din talaga, hirap talaga (ako kay Savi).
“Pero siyempre, pinapakita pa rin namin sa kanya, sa mga nakakalaro namin, na kaya naming makipagsabayan sa kanila.”
Heart over height, always
Even as Rondina has long been pitted against Fil-foreign standouts Davison and Petro Gazz’ Brooke Van Sickle, not once did she feel inferior or incapable of going toe-to-toe with the league’s modern-day titans.
In fact, it doesn’t even matter if she has to deal with taller or stronger foes on the other side of the net.
The only thing Rondina cares about and believes in is how she’ll always be her own person and own fighter ready to defy the odds.
“Alam kong may mga kasama akong baback-up-an ako. wala akong pakialam, bahala na. Ganyan yung lagi kong ginagawa,” Rondina said.
“Hangga’t kaya ko pang tumalon, maglaro, ilalaban ko nang buong-buo.”
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