UST’s dominance was almost halted but they were too good in the end.
University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses Cherry Rondina and Jem Gutierrez were pushed to the brink for the first time this season, but responded immediately, taking out Far Eastern University’s Bernadeth Pons and Kyle Atienza for the UAAP Season 79 Women’s Beach Volleyball championship in Game Three, 21-17, 21-10, at the Sands, SM by the Bay.
Earlier in the day, Rodina and Gutierrez had lost their first match of the season in Game Two, 21-17, 17-21, 13-15, to FEU, which forced the decider. That also the first time the pair dropped a set this season.
“Hindi po kasi kami sumunod sa gameplan talaga. Na-frustrate kami ni Ate Jem kaya nawala kami sa laro namin,” admitted Rodina. “Nag-sorry nga po ako sa kanya kasi hindi ko talaga maitago ‘yung frustrations ko kanina. Nag-usap kami ng nga ginawa naming mali after that at nag-focus ulet sa FEU.”
Game Three turned into a proper coronation for the Tigresses who regained their dominant form. The Tigresses built a 19-14 wall in the opening set then turned the second set into a romp with through Rondina’s serving. The eventual season MVP served spurts of three service aces to begin and end the match.
“Sobrang thankful ko pa kay God at sa lahat ng tumulong at sumuporta sa akin. Kasi nagbunga po talaga ‘yung paghihirap namin,” Rondina said.
“Talaga pong gusto ko bumawi after ng nangyari last year,” Rodina continued, speaking of their fifth place finish in Season 78 with then-partner Rica Rivera.
Rondina last won the title and MVP in Season 77 — her rookie season. Winning it with senior Jem Gutierrez was a totally different experience for the Cebuana.
“Sa court po kasi, walang senior-senior sa amin. Basta magtuturuan kami ng kailangan namin gawin. Kahit minsan nasisigawan ko siya, thankful ako kay Ate Jem na iniintindi niya ‘yung ugali ko,” Rondina explained.
For the second straight season, FEU finished in second place.
