Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons rallied from a set down to defeat Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez, 11-21, 21-15, 15-6, in an all-Alas women’s final to rule the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball Invitational organized by Beach Volleyball Republic on Sunday at the Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
It was the second straight gold for the decorated Rondina-Pons duo following their triumph in the PNVF Beach Volleyball National Open last May — also organized by Beach Volleyball Republic — where they likewise prevailed over Villapando and Rodriguez.
Rondina and Pons swept their two matches in Pool A, then overpowered University of Santo Tomas’ Cameron Villaruz and Lorien Gamboa in the quarterfinals. They eventually turned back Alas teammates Alexa Polidario and Jenny Gaviola in the semifinals.
In the men’s final, Ranran Abdilla and James Buytrago dominated fellow national team stalwarts Ronniel Rosales and Rancel Varga, 21-12, 21-10, to capture the championship without dropping a single set.
Abdilla and Buytrago topped Pool A, then dispatched UST’s Smaela Salon and Alijhan Apdian in the quarterfinals, before defeating Aldwin Gupiteo and Lance Malinao in the Final Four.
Alas 3’s Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor clinched third place on the women’s side after a convincing 21-17, 21-12 victory over Polidario and Gaviola.
Gupiteo and Malinao completed the men’s podium after the Tiger Sands pair stunned Edwin Tolentino and Lerry Francisco, 19-21, 21-19, 18-16.
The two-day tournament served as strong preparation for the Alas beach volleyball squad ahead of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next month.
The Philippines will be represented by Rondina and Pons, and Rodriguez and Villapando in the women’s division; and Buytrago and Abdilla, and Rosales and Varga in the men’s division when beach volleyball takes place from December 12 to 19 at the Huamark Sports Complex in Bangkok.
The country owns six bronze medals — three each for the men and women — since the sport officially became part of the SEA Games program in 2003.
