SUBIC, ZAMBALES — The Philippine Women’s National Beach Volleyball teams suffered crucial losses to Thailand, which put their 30th Southeast Asian Games’ medal hopes in peril, Tuesday at the converted Tennis Court.
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons brought the fight to the veteran duo of Varapatsorn Radarong and Khanittha Hongpak, whom they have faced two years ago. The Philippine tandem came out with their usual grit and figured in a tightly-contested affair in the opening salvo.
However, Rondina and Pons lost steam late and yielded in straight sets, 26-24, 25-15.
“Naglaban na kami 2017 pa, and sabi ko sa kanya utakan mo lang kasi dadaan at daan tayo sa pagiging beterano niyan. Kinapos lang kami,” said the 5-foot-6 Rondina. “Pero I’m proud na si Pons ‘di bumitaw, ‘di niya ‘ko iniwan. Pinakita niya pa rin ano ‘yung nailalabas namin as tandem.
“As Filipinos na rin kasi ayaw din namin na ‘Pilipino lang.’ Ayaw namin na ganun lang, ayaw namin ng ‘Pilipino lang ‘yan’, gan’un. Gusto namin ‘OK, Pilipino lang tayo pero meron tayong kayang ipakita na wala ‘yung ibang bansa’,” she continued.
On the other hand, Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez bowed to the pair of Rumpaipruet Numwong and Tanarattha Udomchavee, falling in straight sets, 21-16, 21-14.
The Philippine delegates shall next face Singapore, where they must win in straight sets to snag a bronze medal.
“Alam namin na lalaban at lalaban ‘yang Singapore,” said Rondina, as the Filipinas brace for a tough challenge ahead. “Mas beterano sa mga galawan, programa pa lang expected na maganda programa nila. Pero siyempre ‘di tayo papatalo diyan sa Singapore, medalya na pag-uusapan diyan sa [December 6].”
