Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons finally claimed long-awaited redemption, leading the Philippines to its first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold medal in beach volleyball on Friday.
Rondina and Pons, dubbed the ‘SiPons’ tandem, had previously helped the country end a three-edition podium drought. The pair won bronze in 2019 on home soil, then repeated the feat with another bronze in 2021 in Vietnam — setting the stage for an even bigger leap in 2023 in Cambodia.
However, their partnership was abruptly split. Rondina paired with Jovelyn Gonzaga while Pons teamed up with Dij Rodriguez, an arrangement that saw them miss the podium in Phnom Penh.
Since then, the two vowed to return stronger — and side by side — at the next biennial meet, putting their flourishing indoor volleyball careers on hold for a shot at redemption on the sands.
And they did.
In fact, they went even further, surpassing expectations and making history by powering Alas Pilipinas Women to a commanding 2-0 sweep of Thailand, the tournament’s long-time rulers since it became a medal event in 2003, at the 33rd SEA Games on Jomtien Beach in Chonburi.
(C) SAVA
“Grabe, sobrang saya, lalong-lalo na sa amin ni Pons. Pang-[apat] na namin ito, and nakapag-gold din kami sa international,” Rondina said after the historic win.
“Ito sabi ko nga, ire-redeem ko yung team natin kasi hindi kami nakapag-podium nung last SEA Games. Para din naman ito sa mga sumuporta sa amin na nagtiwala talaga,” added the 29-year-old.
Pons, who had been dreaming of this moment ever since she started competing in the biennial meet, could hardly contain her emotions as years of hard work, determination, and manifestation finally paid off.
The Creamline star said she had been imagining this very moment in her mind, and it proved even sweeter than she had envisioned — finally, she was able to relive the dream she had replayed countless times.
“Sobrang grateful ko lang talaga kay Lord kasi I manifested talaga ‘tong gold namin. Ilang beses ko rin na-imagine itong moment na ito,” Pons said.
“Minsan, naluluha na lang ako bigla kasi nai-imagine ko ‘yung moment na ito. Totoo pala talaga yung manifestation, pero syempre may kasamang hard work. Sobrang happy ko talaga na nakuha namin yung game; alam namin na hindi madali,” she added.
Rondina and Pons started the gold medal match as if they were defending champions on their home court. They dominated Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat, moving on the verge of a gold that had always been out of reach.
Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez then took over in the next set, securing a hard-fought win against Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numwong to successfully dethrone Thailand on their home soil.
“Ang ginawa lang talaga namin is magtrabaho. Sabi ko nga, maging consistent lang kami. Podium, nandyan lang, so ayun. I think consistency ‘yun ang napakita namin kaya kami nakapag-gold, and syempre yung tiwala talaga namin na makuha tong gold,” Rondina said.
(C) SAVA
Pons added that going up against the region’s best team on their home court served as added motivation, pushing them to elevate their game and fight for a historic victory.
“Ilang beses na defending champion ang Thailand, and isa din talaga sa reason kung bakit kami sa beach kasi gusto namin talagang bumawi at gusto namin silang paiyakin sa sarili nilang lupa,” said the former PVL Invitational MVP.
The ‘SiPons’ tandem has proven to be a force unlike any other, with their chemistry and determination culminating in a historic SEA Games gold. Together, they turned countless setbacks into motivation, and their partnership now stands as one of the most inspiring stories in Philippine volleyball.
For now, the two will savor this hard-earned triumph, soaking in every moment of their victory on the sands.
Years of sacrifice, heartbreak, and determination led to this historic pinnacle, and today, nothing else matters but the gold they fought so fiercely to claim.
“As of the moment, gusto lang namin i-enjoy yung moment ng gold namin kasi sobrang daming sakripisyo nito, Every day sa training, pahirapan sa training yung pain. Sabi nga ni Sunny kanina, remember all the days na hirap na hirap sa training. Isa na lang yung tuhod mo lumalaban ka pa din kahit may masakit sayo. Isa din yun sa motivation namin,” Pons said.
“As of the moment gusto lang namin i-enjoy ‘tong pagkapanalo namin. So wala muna kaming iisipin kundi i-enjoy itong Christmas and New Year.”
