PATTAYA, Thailand – Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons finally won their first gold medal after two bronzes in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games.
‘SiPons’ led the Philippines to a sweep of Thailand in their gold medal match at the Jomtien Beach here, shocking the host country.
The Philippines won the crown despite being beaten by Thailand in the preliminary match last Monday.
But even in that defeat, there was little doubt in their minds that they are capable of pulling off a win in the final at their own backyard.
READ: Rondina & Co. dethrone Thais for first SEAG beach volleyball gold
Rondina and Pons beat Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat, 21-17, 21-15, in the first match, with Dij Rodriguez and Sunny Villapando completing the sweep by defeating Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numvong, 21–13, 17-21, 15-6.
“Nabasa ko sa Facebook na ‘Kung makakapag-gawa ba kaming history ngayon?’ Sumagot lang ako, ‘Naman,’” said Rondina. “Nakuha talaga namin. Thank you Lord. Thank you sa teammates. Wala ako masabi. Nakapag-gold din kami.”
Pons said one of the reasons why she accepted to come back again in the beach volleyball is for the opportunity to beat Thailand.
After the 2023 SEA Games where they went home without a medal, Pons came back to team up with Rondina at the start of the year to begin their build-up.
“Sobrang grateful ko lang kay Lord. Mina-manifest ko talaga ‘yung gold. Ilang beses ko iniimagine ‘yung ganito. Minsan naluluha na lang ako sa moment na ganito. Totoo pala talaga ‘yung manifestation, pero may kasamang hardwork," she said.
“Sobrang pinag-pray ko talaga na makuha namin ‘yung game. Alam namin na hindi madali kasi defending champion ang Thailand. Isa din talaga ito sa reason kung bakit kami bumalik sa beach," she continued.
"Gusto namin talaga bumawi at gusto namin talaga paiyakin sila sa sarili nilang lupa. Eto na ‘yun, nangyari na. I’m so grateful to the Lord na hindi kami pinabayaan throughout our journey."
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