Sisi Rondina of Choco Mucho displsy superb form against Foton in the PVL.
Photo by Ernie Sarmiento
Rondina sustains stellar plays as Choco Mucho takes charge
Games July 11
(Philsports Arena)
9:30 p.m. – PetroGazz vs Farm Fresh
12 noon – Cignal vs Foton
4 p.m. – Akari vs Chery Tiggo
6:30 p.m. – Choco Mucho vs F2 Logistics
CHOCO Mucho seized the solo lead in Pool B, while PLDT spoiled Faith Nisperos’ debut by sweeping Akari in the Premier Volleyball League Invitational Conference at the Filoil EcoOil Centre yesterday.
Sisi Rondina sustained her stellar play as the Flying Titans earned their second straight win with a 25-19, 25-19, 25-14 romp of Foton.
With Dell Palomata leading the way, the High Speed Hitters topped the Chargers, 25-15, 25-19, 25-22, in the Pool A match.
In her second game for Choco Mucho, Rondina came through with 19 points on 15-of-33 attacks and matched Cherry Nunag’s three blocks to go along with six digs.
Nunag and Des Cheng added 12 and 10 points, respectively, while Cait Viray chipped in seven points for the Flying Titans, who have yet to drop a set in the young conference.
Choco Mucho coach Dante Alinsunurin is satisfied the way his club performing after two matches.
“Sobrang masaya kami sa naging resulta,” said Alinsunurin. “Sa pagkakapanalo namin ito ngayon, bale unti-unti na kaming natututong manalo kasi ito na nga ang gusto naming mangyari talaga.
“Step by step talaga. Bawat game, kailangan naming makuha, ma-improve pagdating ng laro. Talagang yung lahat ng plano sa training namin, para sa laro, lahat talaga makuha namin.
Importante, tumataas ang porsiyento sa ginagawa namin,” he added.
Palomata had an efficient 10-of-20 spikes and had three blocks to finish with a match-best 14 points, Jovie Prado contributed 13 points and nine digs, while Mich Morente had three service aces for a 11-point effort for PLDT.
Nisperos registered five points in her first professional game, as the Chargers failed to capitalize on the absence of injury High Speed Hitters standouts in Mika Reyes (shoulder) and Mean Mendrez (knee).
“Siyempre I’m very happy na nasimulan namin nang maganda at nanalo. Pero may mga aayusin pa, mabibigay pa rin yung mga next games namin so paghahandaan namin this VNL week,” said PLDT coach Rald Ricafort.
Royse Tubino, in her first game for the High Speed Hitters, contributed eight points, while Jessey de Leon, filling in for Reyes, made the most out of her start and also scored eight points.
Despite missing out some of the collegiate standouts that he wanted, Ricafort is looking forward for PLDT to be competitive.
“Although hindi kami naka-recruit ng mga UAAP players, very important yung pagkuha namin kay Royse [Tubino] kasi nafi-fill in niya yung mga bagay na kailangan namin,” said Ricafort.
Dindin Santiago-Manabat and Trisha Genesis led Akari with 10 and nine markers, respectively.
The Tornadoes, who fell to 0-2 in their group, kept the game close in the second set before the Flying Titans pulled away and never recovered in the third.
Shaya Adorador led Foton with 10 kills while Jaila Atienza had four of her eight points from blocks.
