'Sobrang unexpected': Sisi Rondina stands tall vs towering Australia to lead Alas Pilipinas to triumphant opener

Time and time again, Sisi Rondina stands as a living testament that true greatness knows no height.

The 5-foot-6 dynamo reaffirmed this notion on Thursday night, towing Alas Pilipinas past the towering Australian Volleyroos in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.

Rondina stood tall with 16 points, the last of which sealed the match, marking a triumphant indoor national team debut.

[ALSO READ: Jia De Guzman lauds ‘total team effort’ in Alas Pilipinas’ rousing win over Australia]

“Actually, unexpected. Knowing Australia, may height talaga pero 'yun nga, sobrang thankful kasi pinagkatiwalaan ako sa loob, and ayun nagtrabaho lang din talaga ako,” Rondina shared.

After scoring the first point for the Philippines, the Cherry Bomb found herself consistently guarded by the Volleyroos--facing block after block after block. Sisi persevered.

“Sobrang unexpected ng performance ko kanina kasi knowing Australia na may mga height talaga. Sabi ko nga, 'Paano ko kaya papalusutin yung bola?' Pero ayun, nahanapan naman ng paraan at naitawid naman kanina.”

As someone who has consistently defied the odds of being often the smallest on the court, Rondina understands better than anyone that success in volleyball transcends height alone.

The prolific outside hitter exemplified this by exploiting the gaps in Australia's formidable net defense. And this is not the only time she did such a thing, as she also led Choco Mucho to a straight-set win over the same squad in the VTV Cup in Vietnam last year.

It was only fitting that Rondina also scored the match-winning point.

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‘YAN ANG ALAS NAMIN 🇵🇭 Sisi Rondina delivers the game-winning point for Alas Pilipinas' opener in the 2024 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup.

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“Siyempre unang una sa lahat ipakita lang talaga kung ano ‘yung kaya mong gawin, and I think naman kung hindi nadadaan sa palakihan, daanin na lang sa bilis at utak,” Rondina said.

“‘Yun lang ‘yung ginawa ko kanina. Siyempre tulong lang din ako nang tulong sa mga kasama ko.”

[RELATED: AVC | ‘Sa isip ko, all out na’: Angel Canino shines in Alas Pilipinas debut]

With her courageous performance and the team's collective effort, Alas Pilipinas launched their campaign on a strong note.

Rondina and the rest of the Nationals aim to maintain their winning momentum as they face India on Friday at 7:00 p.m. The match will air on One Sports and the Pilipinas Live app.