SUBIC, ZAMBALES — With the Philippines desperate for a win, Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons delivered.
The duo known as SiPons made sure to give the Philippines a bounce-back win, defeating Tuong Vy Nguyen and Lan Vu Nguyen in the golden round 22-20, 21-15 in the preliminary round of the 30th Southeast Asian Games Beach Volleyball Tournament, Sunday at the Subic Tennis Court.
According to Pons, their advantage over their opponents was their fresher legs. The Vietnamese duo were coming off a 21-14, 21-16 win over Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez moments before the tiebreaker.
“Nakakuha din kami ng tips kasi bago kami maglaro, naglalaro sila. Kilala na namin pa’no umatake sa kanila. Naging advantage din ‘yun sa amin. Medyo pagod na sila. Kami, nakapahinga kami,” said Pons.
Pons and Rondina had earlier pounded Vietnam 1, 21-8, 17-21, 15-7.
“Masaya na nabigyan kami ng pagkakataon and magbigay pugay sa bansa natin,” said Rondina regarding giving the Philippines its first win.
The Philippines will next face Malaysia on Monday, December 2.
