Over a month since their return to beach volleyball, things are looking promising for the SiPons tandem of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons.
Both players took nearly two years off from the sands—Rondina joining Choco Mucho, while Pons brought her talents to Creamline—as they made their respective returns to indoor volleyball after their collegiate careers with the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University.
Despite the long hiatus from beach volleyball, SiPons showed no signs of rust. The duo reached the quarterfinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures Nuvali Tournament and claimed the title at the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball National Open in their long-awaited comeback.
However, to surpass their bronze medal finishes at the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games—and to redeem themselves after missing the podium in the 2023 edition—Pons believes they must continue to work hard and sharpen their skills on the sands.
“For now, hindi ko pa masasabi na nandun na kami sa form kasi kakabalik lang namin. Almost two years din kami na-out sa sands,” Pons told reporters during the first-ever Pilipinas Live PVL Press Corps Awards Night at Novotel Manila in Cubao on Wednesday evening.
“Ngayon, pang-isang buwan pa lang namin na nag-eensayo sa beach so ang dami pa naming kailangan ulit na ayusin para sa darating na SEA Games,” she added.
(C) BVR
To properly fine-tune their beach volleyball game, the SiPons tandem will continue to rely on their chemistry and familiarity with each other’s playing style—a vital factor behind their success on the sands over the years.
Their partnership began when they joined Petron Sprint 4T’s team in the 2017 Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup.
Even after Petron’s disbandment, the duo remained a formidable force, signing with Creamline’s beach volleyball program.
But among all their partnerships, what truly binds Rondina and Pons is their mutual respect and longstanding friendship—a friendship that started during their Palarong Pambansa days, continued through their UAAP indoor volleyball matchups, and flourished in their respective PVL stints with the Flying Titans and the Cool Smashers.
“Unang-una, masaya ako na magkasama na kami ulit. Excited din ako sa ipapakita namin ngayong darating na SEA Games kasi alam ko sa sarili ko at alam namin parehas kung gaano namin ka-gusto na makuha ‘tong SEA Games ulit,” Pons shared.
“Focus na ulit sa beach din talaga kasi nga may goal kami this coming SEA Games. Tuloy-tuloy muna yung training namin sa beach,” she added.
If there’s one lesson Pons will carry back to the sands, it’s the ‘good vibes’ mantra and camaraderie instilled in her by Creamline—qualities that helped her play a pivotal role in the Cool Smashers’ historic Grand Slam run in 2024, alongside stars like Alyssa Valdez, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza.
That mindset led Pons to earn breakthrough MVP and Finals MVP honors in the 2024 Reinforced Conference, along with a spot in the PVL Awards Night Mythical Team as one of the two Best Outside Hitters.
“Unang-una siguro yung good vibes na mantra ng team. Mainit yung pinaglalaruan namin so kailangan din talaga na ine-enjoy namin bawat ensayo namin kasi sobrang napapagod din talaga kami sa sands and yung araw pa,” she said.
“Yung mentality din talaga ng team sa Creamline, yun din yung isang baon ko sa beach na kailangan yung mindset talaga every game is yung winning mindset.”
#WATCH: SIPONS REUNITED
Bernadeth Pons is all smiles as she reunites with longtime partner Sisi Rondina in the Alas Beach squad 🏐🇵🇭
📹 Ernest Tuazon/Tiebreaker Times#PVL2025 pic.twitter.com/YZEXd60DB0
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) May 29, 2025
