Through the first three days of Season 80, no one has has made a bigger splash than University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigress Cherry Rondina.
After scoring 28 points against the De La Salle University, the Cebuana hung 20 points over the University of the East Lady Warriors in a quick UST straight-set win.
Even La Salle coach Ramil de Jesus concedes that Rondina had been near-unstoppable last Saturday.
Rondina, however, does not want to be the only Tigress in the spotlight. The 21-year-old wants her teammates to make as many headlines as her, even if it means she scores less points.
“Siyempre, kasi mas maganda talaga ‘pag kami lahat ganoon ang laro talaga at ganoon ang binibigay sa team. So ayun, siguro ano lang kanina, medyo may mga lapses lang kami, and ayun, ‘yun ang pagta-trabahuhan namin,” Rondina said.
So far, the 5-foot-6 spiker has not had too much offensive assistance. Against UE, she was the only Tigress in double-digits.
“Kailangan namin ‘yung iba na mag-double-time,” said UST head coach Kungfu Reyes. “Mahirap kasi na isa lang sa amin ‘yung umaako ng pagpuntos.
“Mas mahirap kami bantayan, siyempre, kung marami ang nagco-contribute.”
The Tigresses next face the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles, a team they have not beaten in a long time. For Rondina, earning a win over the perennial finalists will go a long way to boosting their confidence
“Siyempre magboo-boost pa sa amin at makakdagdag sa amin yun ng confidence, na kahit nung last season pangit ‘yung naging outcome ng pagkalaban namin sa kanila, siguro malaking bagay ‘yun para sa amin,” the UST senior said.
“Malaking bagay yun at mas magiging matibay kami as a team and as an individual.”
