Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are set for a redemption campaign with the Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball team at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Chonburi, Thailand, starting December 18.
The dynamic duo, fondly known as the ‘SiPons’ tandem, will reunite for the first time since 2021 after missing out on a third consecutive bronze finish in Cambodia two years ago while playing with different partners.
Both players are returning to the sands after spending the past two years in the Premier Volleyball League, where they each left a significant mark.
The 29-year-old high-flyer Rondina captured her first Most Valuable Player award in the PVL in 2023 and led Choco Mucho to back-to-back finals appearances, falling to Creamline in both.
She also competed with the Alas Pilipinas indoor squad, contributing to the team’s bronze medal campaigns in the AVC Nations Cup and the SEA V.League.
Meanwhile, Pons became a key player for the Cool Smashers, helping fuel their historic Grand Slam run. She also earned her first professional MVP award during the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Rondina and Pons, however, are putting their indoor careers on pause as they focus on redemption in the SEA Games.
Also joining the women’s squad are Fil-American spiker Sunny Villapando and two-time bronze medalist Gen Esplapor.
On the men’s side, the team will be led by veterans Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago, while Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton are not included in the lineup.
The ex-National University standout Buytrago, who won bronze medals in 2019 and 2023, is eyeing a third podium finish. Meanwhile, Abdilla, a former Spikers’ Turf MVP, is also targeting a third medal after claiming bronzes in 2021 and 2023.
Completing the men’s squad are Ronniel Rosales, Rancel Vargas, and Edwin Tolentino.
