KNOWING that they are facing the toughest tandems in the competition, Cherry “Sisi” Rondina and Bernadeth Pons said they just wanted to cherish the experience they will gain in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open.
Rondina and Pons, who have multiple beach volleyball titles as a tandem, said they were not aiming for the moon and just wanted to improve the country’s best finish of fifth place in the Manila Open last year.
“Sa ligang ito, nandito na ‘yung mas mga beterana, malalaki. Still, makakakuha din kami dito ng experience at may matutunan kami in this league at sa mga upcoming games namin,” said Rondina.
The “SiPons” tandem debuted in the 29th Southeast Asian beach volleyball tournament in Singapore two years ago when the former collegiate rivals from University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University made it to the quarterfinals.
“Nakaka-excite kasi first time ko din ito na makalaro sa FIVB. Siyempre, ini-expect kami ng mga tao na gagawin namin ‘yung best namin in every game. Kasi siyempre, hindi lang basta-basta maglalaro kami dito. May goal din naman kami,” said Pons.
Added the Negrense: “Matitibay din ang mga kalaban at malalaki pa. Pero, tiwala naman kami sa bawat isa sa amin na kaya naman namin. Gagawin namin ang best namin kung ano ang game plan.”
Other Filipina pairs competing in the 1-star event organized by the Beach Volleyball Republic are Dij Rodriguez and Bea Tan, Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño, and Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain.
***
Bacolodnon center was named as part of the Jr. NBA All-Stars team at the close of the Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Philippines 2019 on Sunday at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall in Pasay City.
Henjz Gabriel Demisana of Bacolod Tay Tung High School was among the 10 Jr. NBA All-Stars players that will represent the country at the first Jr. NBA Global Championship Asia Pacific Selection Camp in Jakarta, Indonesia in June.
Others chosen for the JR NBA squad are Joshua Minguillo, Zhan Paolo Moreno of Xavier University Cagayan de Oro, Sebastian Roy Reyes of Nazareth School of National University and Lionel Matthew Rubico of De La Salle Lipa.
Picked as part of JR WNBA are Dianne Camille Nolasco of Miriam College, Karylle Sierba of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation, Mikylla Taborada of Corpus Christi School Cagayan de Oro, Justine Mhyrra Vibangco of Saint Joseph Parish School and Princess BJ Marie Villarin of De La Salle Zobel.
The 2019 Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Philippines All-Stars were picked from a group of 80 boys and girls ages 10-14 from Regional Selection Camps held all over the country earlier this year.
The Jr. NBA, the league’s global youth basketball participation program for boys and girls, teaches fundamental skills, builds character, and promotes active lifestyles of Filipinos nationwide.
After three days of experiencing world class basketball instruction, the five Jr. NBA and five Jr. WNBA All-Stars will be rewarded with a unique, overseas NBA experience together with fellow Jr. NBA All-Stars from Southeast Asia./PN
