Sisi Rondina’s relentlessness was on full display against Ateneo on Wednesday evening.
The Cebuana churned out spike after spike, trying to hurdle the Lady Eagles’ block and keep UST ahead. The Golden Tigresses eventually lost a two-set lead and fought for their lives in the fifth set.
Sitting at 35 points – which tied Alyssa Valdez’s record set in the UAAP Season 75 Women’s Volleyball tournament – Rondina went up to try for another point to save UST from a loss. Her spike sailed out, however, and marked the Tigresses’ third loss in eight matches in Season 81.
Rondina keeps in mind that, had she not given away an error, she would have had the record. Moreover, UST would have had another shot to keep the match going.
“Natawa lang ako nung pagkapalo ko kasi, okay tapos na. Ako ‘yung nagpatalo. Siyempre, marami pang mangyayari kung napuntos ko ‘yun,” said the 22-year-old spiker.
“Lagi namang dadaan sa bibig natin na sayang. Pero ganoon talaga, may nananalo, may natututo. Matututo din kami sa ginalaw namin kanina.”
The 5-foot-6 spiker attempted a career-high 102 spike attempts. If she was fatigued, Rondina refused to show it.
“Iniisp ko lang na bawal ako mapagod. Sinabihan ko ‘yung mga setter ko na hindi ako mapapagod, ‘wag lang kayo mapagod mag-cover. Gagawan ko ng paraan lumusot.”
The Tigresses still have a good shot at making the Final Four and giving Rondina a chance to end her career on a high. And Rondina is moving on from their shortcomings.
“One game at a time. Kanina nga akala namin mananalo na kami, pero bilog ang bola. Nandoon pa rin ‘yung babawi kami.”
