BORN in the sands and now raised in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL), Bernadeth Pons beamed with pride as she finally got to play alongside one of her longtime beach volleyball pals in Dij Rodriguez for the Creamline Cool Smashers.
The 5-foot-6 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games double-bronze medalist was handed the stacked outside hitter role, often filled by Creamline's MVP trio Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza.
READ: Creamline chalks up win No. 4 at expense of hapless Strong Group
But for Pons, who was a beach volleyball ace turned outside hitter for the Cool Smashers herself, seeing Rodriguez earn her stripes in the pro ranks is the realization of what was once a shared dream for the decorated duo.
"Nakakatuwa rin kasi before, kami sa beach [volleyball], pinag-uusapan din namin talaga 'yung comeback namin sa indoor [volleyball]. Gusto pa nga namin na magkakasama pa rin, pero siyempre may reason talaga bakit nahiwalay 'yung isa (Sisi Rondina)," said Pons.
"Nakakatuwa kasi alam ko talaga and kilala namin na magpe-perform talaga siya."
Pons fires away
In a team-leading 12-point performance on 10 attacks and two blocks, Pons' solid display against Strong Group Athletics is a manifestation of her desire to embrace her place without being lulled into complacency, more so against a Chery Tiggo side coming off a stunning sweep at the hands of Farm Fresh.
"Sabi nga sa amin ni Coach (Sherwin Meneses) na huwag kami magpabaya. Kahit sino kalaban namin, huwag kami maging kampante at maglaro lang kami kung ano kailangan namin gawin. 'Yun lang, naglaro lang kami at nag-enjoy lang sa loob.
"Hindi rin kami papayag [na makampante at] mas gugustuhin din namin na panalunin 'yung game pero siyempre umpisahan namin 'yun bukas sa ensayo so focus naman kami sa Chery (Tiggo) na."
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