In what has been a monumental season so far for the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, it’s only fitting that their final obstacle is a foe they haven’t beaten in years.
In their first UAAP Finals appearance since Season 73, UST will meet the Ateneo Lady Eagles – whom the Tigresses last beat in Season 74 – for the UAAP Season 81 Women’s Volleyball Championship.
The Tigresses’ graduating captain Sisi Rondina recognizes the poetry in this predicament. Since Rondina’s rookie season in Season 77, UST have beaten every UAAP team – except Ateneo.
It’s only fitting, in Rondina’s eyes, that they have to face the Lady Eagles to earn a title.
“Past na yun. Iba na usapan ngayon,” said Rondina on having lost all 10 previous matches against Ateneo.
“Kailangan lang namin mag trabaho, tumulong sa team, dapat ready kami lagi. Pinangarap namin ‘to dati pa, ‘di na namin papakawalan ‘to. We will do our best and give our three-thousand efforts. Whatever it takes, para sa UST.”
In their most recent match-up, Rondina matched a league-record 35 points, but Ateneo still escaped with a five-set win thanks to a historic blocking performance from Maddie Madayag.
If it takes more record-setting performances, then Rondina trusts that she and her teammates can deliver once the series kicks off tomorrow at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Talo kami noong nag-35 points ako, pero kung kami ang lahat mag-thirty-five points sigurado mananalo kami. What I mean is kailangan nga namin ang isa’t isa, we got each other’s back,” she expressed.
“Magtrabaho, focus, teamwork, and lastly guidance ng nasa itaas. Kailangan lang namin mag laro ng buo at walang mag-iiwanan.”
