THE esteemed ‘SiPons’ tandem of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons heads to Thailand carrying a massive chip on its shoulders, as it embarks on a long-awaited redemption tour in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.
Rondina and Pons are eyeing a return to the podium after the duo fell short of completing a SEA Games treble in 2023, when both suffered shock group-stage exits in Cambodia, albeit with different partners in Jovelyn Gonzaga and Dij Rodriguez, respectively.
READ: Rondina, Pons to represent PH in SEA Games beach volleyball
Before that stumble, 'SiPons' delivered back-to-back bronze finishes for the Philippines in 2019 on home sand then 2022 in Vietnam.
That years-long chemistry is exactly what they hope to lean on, as they suit up once again as teammates in Chonburi.
“Sabi nga ‘di ba, kung amuyan lang, mabilis nang kilalanin. Siguro, mga maliliit na lang na bagay ‘yung kailangan naming ayusin, pero pinaka-goal namin is ‘yung consistency papuntang SEA Games and sa mga laro na rin,” said Rondina.
“Ang aim namin is maging consistent pa sa lahat ng games namin at kailangan every game is a championship game for us.”
'SiPons' swan song
But beyond reclaiming lost glory, this SEA Games stint carries deeper meaning.
Rondina, now 29, gave up precious indoor volleyball minutes at the height of her heavy-lifting run with Choco Mucho — one that earned her PVL MVP and Best Outside Hitter honors.
Pons took a similar path, skipping competitive months despite winning four PVL titles with Creamline and claiming her first MVP award during the Cool Smashers’ historic 2024 Grand Slam.
Even with the personal and professional sacrifices, both remain anchored to the sands, as the opportunity to compete on a stage as grand as the SEA Games was something they refused to pass up, knowing that it could very well be one of the last, if not the last, hurrahs as the country’s most successful beach volleyball duo.
“We will do our best kasi after two years pa ulit ‘yung next SEA Games at ‘di namin alam kung makakapaglaro pa ulit kami,” Rondina said. “Ipu-push talaga namin lahat and gagawin namin lahat makapag-podium lang ‘yung Philippines.”
With Rodriguez, Gen Eslapor, and Fil-American SEA Games debutant Sunny Villapando completing the five-woman crew, the mission is clear.
“Ipapakita namin kung paano dapat maglaro na bitbit ‘yung Philippine team at kakayanin naming makipagsabayan sa SEA Games,” said Rondina.
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