Cheng Dadang experienced heartbreak a year ago.
Along with partner Angelica Del Mar, the University of Santo Tomas was stunned by National University Nazareth School in the UAAP Season 87 High School Girls’ Beach Volleyball Final, denying the school a sweep of the age bracket.
But instead of sulking, Dadang and Del Mar used the loss as motivation—treating it as a wake-up call to push themselves even further.
“Maganda po yung na-experience pa namin last year since hindi po kami buo last year. And medyo nahirapan po kami sa partnership namin last year, ngayon po, mas nag-compose at mag-strong po yung partnership po namin ngayon,” said Dadang.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
Dominance defined their return.
Dadang and Del Mar swept the elimination round en route to securing the top seed.
The Tiger Sands then ended the Cinderella run of Adamson in the semifinals, 21-18, 21-14, before exacting revenge on the Lady Bullpups with a thrilling 24-22, 12-21, 15-13 triumph.
Gold, at last.
And for Dadang, it was about continuing the golden legacy of John Paul Doloiras’ program.
“Yes po, napakaimportante po na maging dikit sa amin. Kasi siyempre, para sa amin… Bakit hindi kami mag-champion ngayon? Nandiyan yung mga ates namin last season po. ’Yan din yung isang rason po ba’t namin tinatatag yung loob namin sa loob ng court po,” said the 18-year-old beach spiker.
One of her biggest inspirations is the architect of UST’s beach volleyball program — Sisi Rondina.
During her time at UST, Rondina won four beach volleyball titles, cementing her status as one of the greatest beach spikers in league history.
Rondina was also the reason why Dadang chose UST.
“Idol na idol ko talaga si Ate Sisi po hanggang sa nalaman ko na coach niya pala si Ati Sisi po dito sa beach volley. So sabi ko, may chance,” she said.
“So hindi lang sa tangkad yung sa laro na po, e di sa pautakan din po.”
Dadang, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, hopes to emulate what Rondina has done—not just for UST, but for the sport as a whole.
“Si Ate Sisi po kasi, since nung elementary pa ako, idol na idol ko po talaga siya. Since nakita ko po siya sa UST indoor, sabi ko, anong height ni ate? Ba’t gano’n siya kalakas tumalon at mag-spike?” she recalled.
“So for me, sabi ko, may chance pa ako.”
