Terrific teamup: Eya, Sisi brighten up Choco Mucho’s landscape

The highly-anticipated reunion of explosive wingers Sisi Rondina and Eya Laure in Choco Mucho has rekindled the fire lost in the eyes of the club’s loyal fans after a dismal run last year.

Once again, the once-thinning sea of purple has begun to gather numbers ready to energize the Flying Titans in their chase for a breakthrough crown in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference.

Rondina and Laure did not disappoint in their debut, coming up with inspired games to power Choco Mucho to a statement 25-17, 25-23, 25-20, sweep of one of the top title contenders Akari on Saturday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

A huge crowd welcomed the two on the opening day of the season-ending conference with loud and sustained cheers, celebrating their return to indoor action from a long hiatus.

It was a fulfilling moment for the new acquisition Laure, who got to march back into the taraflex floor after almost two years of layoff.

The 26-year-old versatile spiker played her heart out in her first game since the 2024 AFC and following a messy parting with defunct Chery Tiggo in the same year.

Tuning out the outside noise and fanfare on her return, Laure was in the zone the whole game and finished with 11 points coming from eight attacks, two aces and a kill.

“Actually, it feels light,” Laure said about her Choco Mucho debut and first game alongside fellow University of Santo Tomas product Rondina since teaming up for Alas Pilipinas indoor team in 2024.

“Just like what Coach Dante (Alinsunurin) told us, my mindset is to treat this game as a normal day and not get too excited,” added Laure, who had nine excellent receptions and three digs.

“I’d say I got a good sleep and just went on with my everyday routine. I guess, it’s just about having the right mindset and through the guidance of our coaches.”

The Alas Pilipinas star showed no signs of slowing down despite months removed from competitive pro volleyball. She enjoyed playing for the Choco Mucho crowd.

“The crowd is really different. And of course, it’s always great to play in PVL especially with the level of competition. Other teams have also brought in reinforcements aside from us. I’m happy to be with Choco Mucho and under the system of coach Dante,” Laure said.

She, however, admitted that the long wait was pretty challenging both mentally and physically. Laure was just grateful for her strong support group.

“I’m just blessed and grateful for the people who kept pushing me to overcome that difficult situation especially mentally. I was able to overcome those challenges and now I’m back,” Laure said.

Rondina, on the other hand, provided the leadership and stability that were missing during the Flying Titans’ forgettable previous tournaments.

The 33rd Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball gold medalist played like she never left the hardcourt, hammering a game-high 16 points built on 14 kills.

“Happy to be back. I really miss playing indoor volleyball with Choco Mucho and now with the addition of Eya (Laure),” said Rondina, who was out for eight months to concentrate on her duties with Alas beach volleyball team.

Rondina skipped the inaugural PVL On Tour and Reinforced Conference last year.

Without Rondina, Choco Mucho’s firepower suffered. The Flying Titans did not qualify in the Invitationals after a dismal 10th place finish in the On Tour and ended up at ninth place in the Reinforced Conference.

“We still have a lot of work to do. We have to play well and address the areas we need to improve on,” the Cebuana star added.

With the duo already playing sweet music together, the future looks bright for the Flying Titans.