Sisi Rondina-Bernadeth Pons ready for one more SEA Games push 

For nearly a decade, the partnership of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons—“SiPons” to fans—has been the gold standard of Philippine beach volleyball. Now, as they reunite on the sands of Chonburi for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, the stakes feel heavier, the mission more personal, and the window possibly closing.

Long before they became household names in the PVL, Rondina and Pons built a bond defined by grit, shared sacrifice, and an uncanny ability to read each other’s instincts. Their bronze-medal finishes in 2019 and 2022 placed the Philippines firmly on the regional beach volleyball map, and for years, the pair looked poised to reach even greater heights.

But the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia told a different story. Split into separate partnerships, both suffered shock early exits—an abrupt derailment of what many believed was their era of dominance.

That disappointment is the spark behind their reunion.

“Sabi nga ‘di ba, kung amuyan lang, mabilis nang kilalanin… pinaka-goal namin is ‘yung consistency papuntang SEA Games and sa mga laro na rin,” Rondina said, reflecting on the comfort that only years of shared sand battles can build.

“Ang aim namin is maging consistent pa… at kailangan every game is a championship game for us.”

This time, though, the comeback carries weight that goes beyond medals.

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Good luck to our Choco Mucho Flying Titans, “Cherry Bomb” Sisi Rondina and “Madzilla” Maddie Madayag, as they represent Team Philippines at the 33rd SEA Games! #CMFT #ChocoMucho #TitanPride pic.twitter.com/Q38IknarVj

— Choco Mucho Flying Titans (@CMFlyingTitans) December 9, 2025

Rondina, now 29, walked away from an MVP-caliber indoor run with Choco Mucho—where she reigned as the PVL’s Best Outside Hitter and league MVP—just to give the beach another go. Pons made similar sacrifices, stepping away after a triumphant 2024 Grand Slam season with Creamline that earned her the first MVP of her career.

Both could have stayed in the limelight of the indoor game. Instead, they chose the heat, the sand, and the emotional pull of one more SEA Games wearing the country’s colors—aware that this might be their final one together.

“We will do our best kasi after two years pa ulit ‘yung next SEA Games at ‘di namin alam kung makakapaglaro pa ulit kami,” Rondina admitted.

“Ipu-push talaga namin lahat and gagawin namin lahat makapag-podium lang ‘yung Philippines.”

The Philippines’ campaign will be deeper this year, with Dij Rodriguez, Gen Eslapor, and Fil-Am newcomer Sunny Villapando rounding out a five-woman squad determined to shake up the region.

But make no mistake: the emotional heartbeat of the team is SiPons—two athletes who have given Philippine beach volleyball a decade of excellence, and who now step into Thailand ready to write one more chapter.

“Ipapakita namin kung paano dapat maglaro na bitbit ‘yung Philippine team at kakayanin naming makipagsabayan sa SEA Games,” Rondina vowed.

Redemption, legacy, and perhaps a final swan song—SiPons isn’t just back. They’re here to finish something they started. 

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