Choco Mucho rallies to beat Capital1

MANILA, Philippines — The Sisi Rondina-Eya Laure roadshow is back.

Fresh from donning Alas Pilipinas colors in the Asian Games in Japan – Laure with the national indoor team and Rondina in beach volleyball in Aichi – the duo returned in Choco Mucho uniforms and picked up right where they left off.

Rondina and Laure powered the Choco Mucho Flying Titans to a come-from-behind 22-25, 18-25, 25-17, 25-20, 15-8 victory over the Capital1 Solar Spikers yesterday to open the 10th PVL All-Filipino Conference Pulse Series at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena.

Laure, now back in full strength after battling injuries early in the year, led the charge with 22 points in four sets. Rondina, who came off the bench, was just as explosive with 12 points in a little over two sets of action, fueling Choco Mucho’s historic title bid before a roaring Queen City crowd.

“We always remind each other that we got each other’s back,” said Laure.

In the last duel, Creamline downed Akari, 25-18, 25-21, 25-18.

While the Flying Titans soared, the Solar Spikers lost their shine after blowing a two-set lead and a 13-8 advantage in the fourth set.

It was at that point that Rondina and Laure took over, turning the match around to force a decider. In the fifth, the high-energy tandem kept the onslaught going and left Capital1 in tatters.

Capital1 looked vibrant early behind its three-headed attack of Bella Belen, Vanie Gandler and Erika Santos, who combined for 52 points to seize the first two sets.

But like Superman to his kryptonite, Rondina and Laure proved to be too much when it mattered most to complete the epic comeback.

The win spoiled the Capital1 debut of setter Julia Coronel, who dished out 27 excellent sets but couldn’t save her new club from collapse.