MANILA, Philippines – Game recognizes game.
Sisi Rondina and Trisha Tubu had nothing but praises for each other after a furious battle in Choco Mucho’s thrilling five set win over Farm Fresh to end their respective preliminaries campaign in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference Tuesday night.
Rondina (29 points) and Tubu (32 points) were the go-to scorers for their respective squads in the nip-and-tuck affair, with the latter setting a new career-high in the PVL.
The reigning Most Valuable Player herself was left in awe of the up-and-coming spiker as she admitted how difficult it was to defend against Tubu.
“Paliparan kami ng taas ng talon niya eh, 'di ko nga rin siya mabasa,” Rondina said coyly after the match.
“Pero wala, ano rin 'yung bata eh, competitive and same lang din sa 'kin kung ayaw kong mabugbog 'yung mga kasama ko, ganun din 'yung ano niya, pinapakita.”
Tubu’s offensive outburst almost powered the Foxies to an unlikely upset over league leaders Choco Mucho, when they claimed the 2-1 set lead after three frames.
But the Flying Titans’ experience proved to be the difference maker as they dragged Tubu and the Foxies to a fifth set where they regained the momentum.
“Sana magtuloy-tuloy pa 'yung career niya kasi sobrang promising siya sa posisyon niya,” said Rondina.
Tubu, for her part, was thrilled at the praises coming from a player of Rondina’s caliber. She also hoped that they were able to give them a good challenge.
“Ang sarap po sa feeling kasi Sisi Rondina ‘yun, ‘di ba? Tsaka ang sarap makakuha ng praise galing sa kanya,” Tubu said.
“Sobrang sarap din po ng feeling na nakalaban namin sila tapos thankfully din po na nakapag-perform po ako nang maayos and ‘yung team nang maayos against Choco Mucho, na binigyan namin sila ng magandang game,” she added.
While the Foxies are headed to the offseason, Rondina and the Flying Titans will be seeing action in the semifinals beginning Tuesday, April 29, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.