“Nothing unusual, it’s normal”: Bernadeth Pons on facing Sisi Rondina after securing historic SEA Games gold

Premier Volleyball League (PVL) powerhouse Creamline Cool Smashers showed championship poise on Tuesday night, shaking off an opening-game setback in the 2026 All-Filipino Conference to outlast rivals Choco Mucho Flying Titans in four sets, 27–25, 17–25, 25–21, 25–15, at a packed Mall of Asia Arena.

After stumbling in their conference opener, the Cool Smashers responded with a composed and methodical performance, weathering Choco Mucho’s resistance before asserting control in the latter stages of the match. Creamline’s ability to execute in crucial moments—particularly in the tightly contested first and third sets—proved decisive, allowing them to reestablish rhythm and confidence early in the tournament.

Bernadeth Pons spearheaded Creamline’s bounce-back win with an all-around masterclass, registering a triple-double of 19 points, 18 excellent receptions, and 13 digs. Her presence was felt on both ends of the floor as she anchored the defense, stabilized the back row, and delivered timely attacks when the Cool Smashers needed momentum. Middle blocker Pangs Panaga added 12 points, while Jema Galanza chipped in 11, giving Creamline a balanced offensive effort that kept Choco Mucho’s defense guessing.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

Beyond the result, the match carried added intrigue as it marked the first on-court meeting between Pons and Choco Mucho superstar Sisi Rondina since the two joined forces to win a historic gold medal in beach volleyball at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Now wearing opposing colors in the indoor game, the former teammates found themselves on opposite sides of the net in one of the league’s most anticipated rivalries.

The Creamline star downplayed any extra emotions tied to the matchup, emphasizing the professional reality of competing against familiar faces in the indoor scene.

“Nothing unusual, it’s normal. After beach volleyball, we all know we are going back to indoor anyway, so we are bound to face each other. It’s a challenge for both of us. I know she is super competitive. She is great to play with and just as great to play against,” Pons said after the game.

THE GV-KADA IS ON BOARD 🍦💖

Bernadeth Pons delivers a steady & confident performance as the Creamline Cool Smashers defeat their sister team, the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, in four sets to claim their first victory of the 2026 PVL All-Filipino Conference.#TheHeartofVolleyball pic.twitter.com/AuSfPfsUNQ

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) February 10, 2026

Rondina, for her part, delivered a solid performance for the Flying Titans, finishing with 15 points and 14 receptions. However, her efforts were not enough to prevent Choco Mucho from absorbing another setback at the hands of Creamline, as the Flying Titans fell for the 19th time in their last 20 meetings against the Cool Smashers—a statistic that continues to underscore Creamline’s dominance in the rivalry.

For Pons, the win carried extra meaning as she continues to reacclimate to the indoor game after spending months focusing on beach volleyball. The 29-year-old admitted she relished the atmosphere at MOA Arena, marking her return to PVL action after last playing indoors during the previous All-Filipino Conference in May.

“I’m really happy to be playing here at MOA again. I hadn’t played indoor volleyball for a few months, so the feeling was different when I walked in—especially with so many people. It also made it more special since we were playing Choco Mucho, one of the toughest teams this conference. I’m really happy we got the win,” she added.

The 2024 Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player (MVP) also acknowledged that there is still room for improvement as she and the Cool Smashers continue to fine-tune their systems early in the conference. Pons pointed to communication and on-court connection as key areas the team is emphasizing in training.

“Even in training, Ate Ly kept reminding us that communication is really important. Everyone has to talk and call for the ball so it’s easier for the setter. When everyone is asking for the ball, it also puts pressure on the opponents.

“We work on this every day because, like Jia said, our game against PLDT showed us what we still lack—both individually and as a team. So we keep working on it daily, especially our connection and communication,” Pons concluded.

With their first victory of the 2026 All-Filipino Conference secured, Creamline will look to build momentum as they continue their campaign. The Cool Smashers return to action next on Tuesday, February 17, when they face the ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles at the FilOil Centre, aiming to string together wins and reassert themselves as early contenders in the conference race.

👉 Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

📌 Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and join the community of passionate sports fans.