As the bubble training camp enters its third week, Creamline’s top guns Sisi Rondina and Jude Garcia have seemingly settled as the national beach volleyball team’s preparations for this month’s AVC Continental Cup in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte go full blast.
There was an absolute joy in finally getting face-to-face training after more than a year of working out online for the athletes. Moreover, Rondina was able to reunite with his long-time partner Bernadeth Pons, hardly missing a beat.
It’s the same with Garcia, who got his groove back with his teammate Anthony “Krung” Arbasto. Both of them are back to doing things that they do best on the sand court.
Creamline players also in the camp are Jaron Requinton, James Buytrago, Pemie Bagalay, Ran Abdilla, Dzi Gervacio, and Dij Rodriguez.
Making up for lost time, the Creamline players are working out twice a day. They’re bracing for the Philippines’ campaign in the continental qualifiers for the Tokyo Olympics alongside their Southeast Asian Games’ build-up.
Since they entered the bubble on May 18, good vibes have reigned in the Pagudpud training camp in the scenic Villa del Mar resort.
“We’ve been training for almost two weeks. Apart from getting used to the heat, we also have already desensitized to the routine twice-a-day sand court training,” said Creamline beach volleyball program head Charo Soriano.
“In between our sand court training, Coach Paolo Escaño, our strength and conditioning coach, makes sure that the players are ready for their upcoming international competitions.”
To make them relaxed and at peace despite the rigors of training, the Creamline players were recently treated to a restorative yoga session conducted by beauty queen-turned-yoga instructor Jamie Herrell.
“We’ve been working on other facets here in the bubble, too.
“We believe that mental toughness, emotional stability, and spiritual calmness will complement the physical aspect of the players’ training program. Jamie’s Restorative Yoga Session provides balance and inner peace,” said Soriano.
The Philippines will compete for the second straight Continental Cup in Thailand’s Nakhon Pathom province starting on June 18.
