BERNADETH Pons and Sisi Rondina have already conquered plenty of stages together.
They have ruled the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, stood on an international podium, and established themselves as the Philippines’ premier beach volleyball pair.
But there is one stage the decorated duo has yet to set foot on together: the Asian Games.
READ: Bagunas, de Guzman lead Alas rosters in POC list for Asian Games
That changes later this month in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, where Pons and Rondina will make their Asiad debuts with the hope of adding another historic chapter for Philippine beach volleyball.
“As of the moment, tuloy-tuloy ‘yung preparation namin kasi next week na ‘yung alis namin pa-Asian Games. Siyempre, expect talaga na ibibigay namin ‘yung best namin every game for the Philippines,” Pons said.
The 'SiPons' tandem heads to Japan carrying the momentum of a historic gold medal run in the 33rd SEA Games last December, followed by a silver-medal finish in the FIVB Beach Pro Tour Futures last August.
Now, they are eyeing an even bigger breakthrough.
“Siyempre, sobrang laking opportunity 'to for us, kami ni Sisi, kasi first time namin na maglaro for Asian Games. Sobrang nilu-look forward namin ‘yung Asian Games. Talagang ibibigay namin lahat. Lahat ng natutunan namin, lahat ng inensayo namin, ipapakita namin,” Pons said.
The Philippines has yet to win a medal in the 28-year history of Asian Games beach volleyball, with its best finish coming in the 2022 edition in Hangzhou, China.
Veterans Dij Rodriguez and Gen Eslapor carried the flag that time, finishing fifth to set the country's benchmark in the continental competition.
'SiPons' got this
Pons and Rondina now have a chance to surpass that mark, with Pons fully aware of the opportunity before them and the magnitude of the challenge awaiting in a field packed with Asia's best.
“Siyempre, malaki yung tiwala ko sa team namin na kaya namin mag-podium for the Asian Games. Pero siyempre madaling magsabi, hindi siya madaling kuhanin, pero tatarabahuin namin, paghihirapan namin every game. It's one point at a time, one game at a time,” she said.
The 'SiPons' duo will not be alone in carrying the Philippine women's campaign, as rising stars Sofiah Pagara and Khylem Progella complete the country's women's delegation, while Ran Abdilla, James Buytrago, Lerry Francisco, and Ronniel Rosales will compete in the men's tournament.
The Asian Games beach volleyball competition runs from September 20 to October 1, giving Pons and Rondina their first opportunity to test their partnership on one of the biggest stages in Asian sport.
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