Sisi hopes for volleyball restart

MANILA, Philippines — It’s been four months since UAAP Season 81 MVP and Athlete of the Year Sisi Rondina has been holed up at home in Cebu because of the lockdown but while she’s staying calm, the former UST star is anxiously awaiting the restart of training with the Creamline beach volleyball team.

Rondina, 23, is a four-time UAAP beach volleyball MVP and last December, teamed with Bernadette Pons to claim the bronze medal in the sport at the SEA Games. Although she led UST to the UAAP senior women’s indoor volleyball finals last season, Rondina said her focus is now totally on sand. Rondina, Pons, Dzi Gervacio, Dij Rodriguez and Bianca Lizares are in the Creamline beach volleyball pool that’s being groomed to compete in FIVB international tournaments once the pandemic is neutralized. Last November, Rondina and Pons swept the opposition at the Rebisco Beach Volleyball International Open at the Sands SM By The Bay to stamp their class.

After taking the SEA Games bronze, Rondina said she’s motivated to advance to the next level. “Sana, next time, silver tapos gold,” she said. “Sobrang blessed kami na Rebisco is supporting beach volleyball sa Creamline. Kung ‘di lang nangyari ang COVID-19, ‘dami na sana kaming nasalihan na FIVB competitions to gain points. Sa bahay, ginagawa ko araw-araw ang training program ni (Creamline beach volleyball strength and conditioning) coach Paolo (Escano), mga 1 1/2 hours tapos extra work na one hour. Sana maka-restart na kami ng volleyball training.” The third of four daughters, Rondina said her parents Arnold and Alona are now retired. Rondina and two older sisters are supporting their parents and their youngest sibling who’s in second year college.

Rondina said playing in the UAAP finals last season was bittersweet. “Malungkot na masaya,” she said. “Bonus mga individual awards but lahat ‘yun ipagpapalit ko sa team championship. Group achievement ang mahalaga sa akin. Syempre, happy ako sa MVP at Athlete of the Year but ibang feeling kung manalo ng championship. Nagpapasalamat ako sa UAAP at UST for the awards at experience.”

Rondina said volleyball wasn’t her favorite sport at the start. “’Di man ako nakasali sa competition but hilig ko talaga ang athletics,” she said. “Noong bata ako, tinatakbuhan ko ‘twing nauutusan pumunta kung saan. One time, nasa third grade ako, naglalaro kami ng mommy ko ng volleyball pang katuwaan. Next day, nag-tryout ako for volleyball at yung coach sinabi may potential ako. Tuloy-tuloy na ‘yun. Sumali ako sa Palarong Pambansa, very good experience kasi nakita ko programs at plays ng ibang schools. Doon ako na-recruit ng UST.”

Rondina said her 5-6 ceiling isn’t a handicap. “Kahit maliit ako, puso at lakas ng loob ang nagdadala sa akin,” she said. “Sa beach volleyball, importante ang anticipation at teamwork. Kung minsan, mahirap tumalon kasi bumabaon ang paa mo sa buhangin pero kung maganda ang reflexes at chemistry, kaya ‘yan.” Rondina said she owes her volleyball career to the coaches who’ve influenced her game – Paul Jan Doloiras, Kungfu Reyes, Ian, Ogie, Bilet, among others.

On the possibility of playing with no audience, Rondina said it’s no problem. “Mas OK kasi walang distraction, laro lang,” she said. “Pag nasa abroad, walang hometown advantage.” Rondina said she thinks PBA star June Mar Fajardo is a distant cousin because his mother is a Rondina and they’re both from Cebu. “Pag nagkikita kami ni Kuya June Mar, nagkakamustahan kami,” she said. “Kung magpinsan kami, ‘di ko alam kung bakit siya 6-10 at ako, 5-6.”