MANILA — There is a bigger level to conquer for decorated beach volleyball duo Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons as they make their Asian Games debut in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
Several months after ruling the Southeast Asian level, bagging the gold in the 2025 SEA Games, the duo is setting its sights on a breakthrough in the continental meet.
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"Siyempre, excited kasi first Asian Games namin ni Pons," Rondina told reporters during the ceremonial send-off for Asiad athletes on Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
"Ako, sabi ko lang kina Pons, sabi naman namin sa isa’t isa na mag-enjoy lang tayo kasi first-ever Asian Games natin. Madadagdagan lang yung mga kalaro natin ng Japan, other countries, and China. Ayun, looking forward kami na marami kami maipakitang maganda din."
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Rondina shared the reminder they told themselves: staying consistent and showing the fight they always have embraced.
"Mag-e-enjoy lang kami. Sabi naman ni Pons na maging consistent lang tayo sa isa’t isa and siyempre, training, and 'yung palaban na side namin ipapakita namin," she said.
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Both have missed their preseason matches for their respective clubs in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) in exchange for participating in national team bouts.
During that time, they have clinched the silver medals in the FIVB Beach Pro Tour Futures last August and in the AVC Beach Tour Pingtung Open last June.