Sisi Rondina focusing on consistency as Philippines eyes SEA Games 2025 podium

For the first time in four years, one of Philippine beach volleyball’s most electrifying duos is back where fans believe they belong — side by side on the sand, chasing medals and unfinished stories.

Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, long celebrated as the ‘SiPons’ tandem, are officially leading Alas Pilipinas into the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Chonburi, Thailand, starting December 18. Their reunion comes sooner than many expected, rekindling a partnership that became synonymous with the country’s rise in the sport.

Rondina and Pons last played together in 2021, consistently delivering podium finishes. In 2023, the Philippines missed out on a bronze in Cambodia, with both stars competing alongside different partners. Now, after standout individual seasons indoors, they return to the sand with renewed focus.

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“Our main goal heading into the SEA Games is consistency on how we play. Getting a podium finish would be a bonus, of course. But we are aiming to stay consistent in every single game. Our mindset is that every game is a championship game for us,” Rondina said in a media interaction.

At 29, Rondina comes off the most accomplished stretch of her indoor career. The explosive Choco Mucho star earned her first PVL MVP award in 2023 while guiding the Flying Titans to consecutive finals appearances. She also made major contributions to Alas Pilipinas’ bronze runs in the AVC Nations Cup and SEA V.League.

‘GAGAWIN NAMIN LAHAT PARA MAKAPAG-PODIUM LANG ANG PILIPINAS’ 🇵🇭

Aiming for a beach volleyball podium finish, Sisi Rondina shares the mindset that she believes will help her and Bernadeth Pons mount a strong campaign in SEA Games 2025 Thailand. | via Mei-Lin Lozada/One Sports pic.twitter.com/7EXbQsEsp3

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 6, 2025

Rondina and Pons enter the SEA Games after eight months of intense preparation, training in Europe and competing in the Volleyball World Beach Volley Pro Tour Challenge. The duo fell to Switzerland’s Annique Niederhauser and Menia Bentele, 18-21, 24-22, 15-12, in the round of 24 stage in Nuvali.

“During those eight months, we joined a lot of leagues. The highlight was when we competed in Europe. And of course, the Challenge event held here in the Philippines. That was huge for us. And now we are really excited to play beach volleyball again in the SEA Games. We are looking forward to getting good results,” Rondina added.

Rondina and Pons will be joined by Fil-American standout Sunny Villapando, bringing length and international experience, and Gen Esplapor, a steady presence and two-time SEA Games bronze medalist. Together, the quartet forms one of the deepest women’s beach volleyball squads the Philippines has fielded in years.

The men’s team is anchored by seasoned competitors Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago, both proven SEA Games medalists. Buytrago, a former NU stalwart, looks to clinch his third SEA Games podium finish after bronzes in 2019 and 2023. Abdilla, a former Spikers’ Turf MVP, shares the same target after finishing third in 2021 and 2023.

Notably absent from the lineup are Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton, signaling a shift in the team’s strategic direction.

With experience, athleticism, and a sharpened sense of purpose, Alas Pilipinas enters Chonburi with a clear mission: bring the Philippines back to the SEA Games beach volleyball podium — and perhaps reach higher than ever before.

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