MANILA, Philippines: Receiving is the Achilles heel of Flying Titan Sisi Rondina.

Despite ranking first among the best scorers in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) 2024 All-Filipino Conference, the reigning MVP admitted that her reception is an area that she continuously needs to work on after a straight-set loss against their previous finals tormentors Creamline.

"There, my lapse when it comes to receiving shows. You cannot predict the game, and I would like to credit Creamline since they really studied on how we played. I think we also have some lapses inside the game so we are going to bounce back and work," Rondina said.

In Choco Mucho's 17-25, 22-25, 19-25 loss against Creamline, Rondina was the target of Creamline's servers.

With Creamline holding a 2-0 set advantage against Choco Mucho, the Cool Smashers were strategic in their service placement to take an early lead. Jeannette Panaga scored back-to-back service aces as she targeted Sisi Rondina to gain an early five-point lead, 8-3, en route to a 25-19 finish.

The five-foot-six open hitter tallied a total of eight excellent receptions out of 25 attempts in reception area against the Cool Smasher. But she made up for it as she flexed her offensive side after being the sole-double digit scorer of Choco Mucho with 17 points.

Before the PVL 2024 conference began, Rondina openly told the press that receiving is an area that she has to work on.

"I hope that we have adjusted already, but there were instances that we are off. There is a lot that could happen in this conference, so for me, I'm focusing on my weakness," she said. "And for me, my weakness is receiving, and hopefully I can improve in that aspect," Rondina said on Feb. 14 during PVL's media day.

Nearing the end of the elimination round, Rondina showed her defensive form and currently tallied a total of 91 excellent receptions out of 243 attempts (33 percent receiving efficiency).

For the high-leaper, Choco Mucho will focus on their upcoming match against Farm Fresh to be in a comfortable position for a semifinals slot.

"Nothing will change, we will come to the game (against Farm Fresh) with the same winning mindset. Of course, we will still play as a whole, we will work, and we will translate the things we do in our training."

Choco Mucho will close the elimination round against the Foxies on Tuesday, April 23, at 6 p.m., at the PhilSports Arena.