FROM February to May, Sisi Rondina was training and playing non-stop for Choco Mucho in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL).
So when the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) came calling, she initially declined the offer to play for rechristened Alas Pilipinas. Rather than competing on the international stage, she originally opted to rest and recover after the Flying Titans' runner-up campaign in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference.
The key words there being 'initially' and 'originally.'
Deep down, fatigue was no match for the heart that beats for flag and country.
So here Rondina was, on Wednesday inside the Rizal Memorial Coliseum, relishing and cherishing Alas' historic bronze medal in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup for Women — the country’s first in an AVC-sanctioned tournament in 63 years.
READ: Alas repeats over Aussies for first-ever AVC Challenge Cup podium finish
Not only was 'Cherry Bomb' just part of a history-making national team, she played a key role as they stood tall in the face of towering opposition by contributing 9.67 points through six games.
Sisi's physical and mental block
A tired mind and body may have been telling Rondina to say no to the call of duty at first, but there was also a burning passion in her heart to represent the Philippines for the first time in indoor volleyball. It was the heart that won out in the end.
“I already declined na ma-lineup ako dito sa national team kasi mas pipiliin kong magpahinga. Pero ayun, iba talaga yung feeling na dadalhin mo yung country,"
"So nung nalaman ko din yung mga makakasama ko, sabi ko, ‘Sige, why not i-try ko dito sa indoor?' Kasi knowing indoor, (mataas yung level) internationally talaga,” she said.
The 5-foot-6 high-flyer - who had experience wearing the flag in international beach volleyball - was doubting whether she could compete on the taraflex against the likes of Australia, Iran, and Kazakhstan whose average height are all nearly 5-10.
However, the trust that everybody in Alas had in Rondina lifted her spirits up, as she rose to the occasion of playing for the country.
“Kahit ako, nagda-doubt din sa sarili ko, pero ito kami ngayon, pinakita kung anong meron ang mga Pilipino. Sobrang thankful din ako sa coaching staff (at sa teammates ko) na nagtiwala talaga,” she said.
Alas' pleasant surprise
Unexpected as the result was due to their minimal preparation time, the 27-year-old was left in awe by how the national team came and rose together to seize the bronze.
“Nagsama-sama kami sa training (nang buo kami) ng dalawang araw lang. Yung dalawa pang araw, anim lang kami,”
“Sobrang saya kasi walang nag-expect na ganito yung outcome ng lineup namin and siguro, pinanindigan lang din namin na nandito na tayo, panindigan na natin,” she added.
Safe to say, Rondina's change of plans was the right decision. Thanks to a team that had full faith in her and a nation that had her - and Alas' - back all the way through, she now has an AVC bronze medal to display alongside her UAAP and PVL MVP trophies.
“Grabe, lagari talaga, pero wala e, kami yung nilagay dito and nagpapasalamat kami talaga sa mga taong sumuporta, sa mga totoong sumusuporta. Ang dami naming nababasa, pero ok lang basta dinala namin ‘tong country and we're part of (history)."
“Para sa kanila ‘tong panalo na ‘to, most especially sa mga taong hindi kami iniwan sa pinakauna pa lang,” she said.
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