For the first time in program history, the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses plummeted to last in the standings with a 2-7 record following their loss to the FEU Lady Tamaraws last Wednesday.
Through their five game losing streak and much of the season, Sisi Rondina has been UST’s only reason for optimism. The fiery Cebuana had carried much of UST’s cudgels, but her teammates failed to pick up the slack.
Which is why prior to UST’s showdown with the UP Lady Maroons, Rondina took it upon herself to have a talk with her teammates. Though she isn’t the team captain, Rondina felt it neccesary to wake up her fellow Tigresses.
“Before the game, kinausap ko ‘yung teammates ko. Sinabi ko na huwag niyo akong pasikatin, ‘wag niyo pasikatin ‘yung Sisi lang, gusto ko ‘yung pangalan ng school natin,” the 21-year-old recalled.
“Sinabi ko na hindi lang isang tao ang magtatrabaho. Sinabi ko na ito muna ‘yung lugar namin. Doon kami nagkaintindihan kaya ganoon ‘yunt lumabas sa laro.”
The talk seemed to work as the Golden Tigresses conquered the Lady Maroons in four sets with the 5-foot-6 spiker in fine form, scoring 25 points.
Oddly enough, the Tigress that stepped up the most probably needed a translator to understand Rondina pre-game pep talk. Coming from a shoulder injury, Filipino-Italian winger Milena Alessandrini unloaded 20 points.
The Golden Tigresses also had key comtributions from Mia Dizon and Caitlyn Ciray off the bench.
“Nag-sorry din ako sa kanila kasi panget nga ‘yung laro ko. Sabi ko lang na babangon tayo. Kung kaya pa kumapit, kakapit tayo,” shared the three-time UAAP Beach Volleyball Champion.
UST head coach Kungfu Reyes apprecieated Rondina’s initiative, calling his ward a true Thomasian.
“That’s the real spirit ng isang Thomasian. Hindi lang si Sisi ang may ganyan, may ibang player din. Pero, sa pagkakataong ‘to, si Sisi na talaga ‘yung kailangan bumaba para abutin ‘yung mga kasama niya,” relayed Reyes.
“Talagang di niya kakayanin nang mag-isa. From time to time, ‘yun din naman ang nire-remind namin — na kitang kita naman sa output na kailangan namin na six, eight man team ang maglalaro.”
