SISI Rondina has vowed to give her all as she plays her final game for University of Santo Tomas in the winner-take-all Game 3 of the UAAP Season 81 women's volleyball finals on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“Hindi ko na papalagpasin. Sabi nga, whatever it takes, di ba? So push na talaga hanggang matapos yung liga na 'to,” said the newly-crowned league MVP on the eve of the sudden-death match against Ateneo.
Game Two would've been a perfect moment for a fitting farewell for the Queen Tigress as she claimed the MVP trophy before the match in the presence of family who arrived from Cebu just the day before.
But the Lady Eagles refused to go away quietly, putting away a four-set win to force a rubber match.
“Sobrang sad," said Rondina, who nonetheless was glad to have her parents and siblings witness the overwhelming support from UST fans at the MOA Arena for the first time.
"Still, thankful kasi naramdaman nila kung paano sumuporta yung UST community and andun sila, nakasaksi sila kung ano yung UAAP."
“Kasi though natalo kami, nakita namin sila na ganun sila mag-cheer sa amin, lalong-lalo na ako kasi first time nila sa Manila.”
Rondina was also quick to remind her teammates not to let another golden opportunity to end UST's nine-year title drought slip away in Game 3.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, hindi tayo susuko. Hindi pa natin nakukuha yung pangarap natin,” said Rondina, who led the Tigresses with 22 points in a losing effort in Game 2.
“Hindi tayo talo, kasi nanalo tayo nung Game 1, so Game 3 last na. Ibuhos na nating lahat,” she added. “Alam kong babawi kami. It’s just a bad game."
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