Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons officially make their return to the national beach volleyball team as the Philippines hosts the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures Nuvali, kicking off today in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The former beach volleyball tandem, who won gold at the BPT Futures Subic Bay in 2022 and later became rivals in the domestic indoor professional league, are reuniting under Alas Pilipinas with their eyes set on capturing the elusive Southeast Asian Games gold medal—after having twice settled for bronze.
Rondina and Pons, affectionately known as “SiPons,” will begin their campaign on Thursday at the newly built Nuvali Sand Courts. They are joined by four other women’s pairs and four men’s tandems representing the Philippines in the international tournament that features teams from 19 countries, including the United States, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and Italy.
All eyes will also be on the young and promising duo of Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara from the University of Santo Tomas. After impressive performances in recent international competitions, the UST standouts are ready to test their mettle once more in a tournament that includes competitors from Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Vanuatu, Israel, and Japan.
Sunnie Villapando, a former standout for both Stanford and the University of Southern California in the NCAA, is once again teaming up with Jen Gaviola of the Coast Guard. The pair delivered a solid outing at the Songkhla Futures in Thailand last month, splitting their matches.
Now, they’re aiming to solidify their chemistry as they prepare for a possible SEA Games campaign.
“We’re going to be competing, training, getting our mind right for the SEA Games,” said Villapando. “This is mental preparation.”
Also competing in the women’s division are reigning UAAP champions Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa of National University. Another tandem to watch is the pair of Alexa Polidario and Dij Rodriguez.
The tournament is organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, headed by its president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who also serves as the president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of the International Volleyball Federation.
In the men’s division, Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures silver medalists continue to spearhead the Alas Pilipinas campaign.
Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton, members of the Philippine squad that clinched bronze at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, are reuniting as well for this home tournament.
Also returning are the duos of Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino, along with Ronniel Rosales and Alex Iraya, both looking to build on their chemistry and past performances.
Meanwhile, Israel’s world-ranked No. 88 duo, Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov, are eyeing back-to-back titles after winning the BPT Futures in Songkhla, Thailand last month.
