IT was as if Sisi Rondina never left in her first PVL game back with Choco Mucho after 295 days.
Rondina announced her return with 18 points as the Flying Titans swept Akari, 25-17, 25-23, 25-20, in their 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference opener, an immediate reminder of why she once stood as the league’s most dominant force.
READ: Retooled Choco Mucho off to a flying start in PVL All-Filipino
But before flipping the switch again with Choco Mucho after nearly a year away, Rondina made a deliberate decision to completely detach from all things purple and from the PVL itself.
The reset was intentional as it allowed her to fully commit to her beach volleyball campaign for the SEA Games, a move that ultimately paid off with a historic gold medal in the 2025 Games in Thailand.
Just as importantly, the break became a test of focus and discipline that proved invaluable when she returned to the hardcourt after months in the sand.
“When I was in beach volley, hindi ko talaga dini-distract ‘yung sarili ko sa Choco [Mucho] talaga. Nag-focus lang talaga ako sa SEA Games,” Rondina told SPIN.ph.
Her tunnel vision extended as far as cutting off communication with her mother team altogether, underscoring her no-nonsense commitment at the time.
“Personally, minute ko nga ‘yung GC [group chat] namin dahil naka-focus nga lang talaga ako sa SEA Games nu’ng time na ‘yun.
“Kaya kung ‘yung dating [Choco Mucho] ang pag-uusapan, wala akong masasabi. Ngayon, magta-trabaho lang talaga ulit ako.”
Sisi's wish come true
When Rondina finally felt ready to reconnect with Choco Mucho, she wasn’t expecting to revive an even earlier chapter of her career rooted in España.
Reuniting with former University of Santo Tomas teammates Eya Laure, Alina Bicar and Caitlin Viray gave her return to the Flying Titans a familiar rhythm that instantly felt right.
“Ngayong nakabalik na ko sa Choco [Mucho], kasama ko na si Eya and the rest ng UST girls kaya sobrang UAAP feels talaga ‘yung nararamdam ko,” Rondina said.
It was a scenario she had quietly hoped for and actively willed into existence.
“Nag-manifest lang talaga ako and ‘yun lang din talaga ginawa ko na manligaw kay Eya,” Rondina said.
“Ngayon, we’re pushing ourselves na makapaglaro pa nang mas consistent sa pros naman.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
