Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    Volleyball never stops as Rondina sets sights on next chapter after UAAP career

    Rondina: 'Volleyball is life'
    May 22, 2019
    PHOTO: mei-lin lozada

    SISI Rondina may not have succeeded in bringing back the UAAP championship glory to University of Santo Tomas, but her eagerness earned herself the prestigious Season 81 Athlete of the Year and won the hearts of many.

    “Kagustuhan ko lang naman makuha yung big trophy pero hindi kami pinalad but still nabigyan ako ng itong award and thankful kasi ako ang pinili nila,” said Rondina after receiving the Athlete of the Year for team sports in the closing ceremonies on Tuesday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

    Rondina won four MVPs and as many as championships in her five-year UAAP beach volleyball career, while playing as the leader and main hitter of the Tigresses in indoor volleyball.

    The 5-foot-6 spiker said that this is her favorite season, having brought UST back in the Finals for the first time since 2011, besides the individual awards like the Season MVP and 2nd Best Outside spiker.

    “Para sa akin ito ang isa sa mga memorable season for me,” the Cebuana said. “Gusto ko lang big trophy kaso hindi pinalad still thankful kasi kahit yun yung inisip ko ito yung naging kapalit.”

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      The Tigresses were close to winning their first championship after nine years as they beat Ateneo in Game One only for the Lady Eagles to complete a series comeback.

      The 22-year-old spiker became the second volleyball player to win the Athlete of the Year since Ateneo superstar Alyssa Valdez won it in 2016 with late Olympian Yan Lariba of La Salle.

      Rondina feels so honored to end her UAAP career with the award, which she is attributing to her teammates.

      “Wow! Wala ako masyadong iniisip about that," she said, referring to being part of the elite group with Valdez. "Siyempre para sa akin, volleyball is life lang talaga.”

      “Para sa team ko nga 'to and award na rin sa sarili sa lahat ng mga sacrifice and lahat ng pagod worth it sa lahat ng season.”

      ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

      But bigger than her individual awards is her inspiring story that won the hearts of many when she showed how good leader she is to her young teammates and revealed that she is the breadwinner of her family in Compostela, Cebu.

      “I enjoyed every moment when I’m with the UST Golden Tigresses. Every season, I cherished it and lahat ng mga nangyayari is ginagawa kong motivation,” Rondina said. “Sa lahat ng mga nangyayari alam kong may magandang kalalabasan. Lagi kong sinasabing better days are coming. Ganun lang yung mindset ko.”

      For now, Rondina is bound for Boracay to team up with Bernadeth Pons to fight for the country’s pride in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour starting Thursday at the White House Beach Station 1.

      That’s the only thing certain for Rondina and Petron in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipibo Conference in June.

      The graduating BS Sports and Wellness Management student-athlete is also preparing herself for the real world.

      CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
      Watch Now

      “At the same time nasa totoong laban na talaga, totoong buhay na inuunti unti ko na magmove on sa nangyari kasi I’m not in college anymore,” Rondina said.

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
      PHOTO: mei-lin lozada
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result