Sisi Rondina could have declined the call of national duty, yet she pushed through and is proud to have helped Alas Pilipinas make history in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
Coming off Choco Mucho's grueling campaign that culminated in a hard-fought silver-medal finish at the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference, Sisi Rondina faced a pivotal decision.
Battered and fatigued, Rondina contemplated declining the call to national duty, yearning for rest and recovery.
The thought of facing towering opponents on the international stage stirred doubts in her mind, questioning whether she had the energy and resilience to compete at such a demanding level.
Despite her reservations, a powerful force propelled her forward – the unwavering desire to bring honor to the Philippines.
“I already declined na ma-lineup ako dito sa national team kasi mas pipiliin kong magpahinga pero ayun, iba talaga yung feeling na dadalhin mo ‘yung country,” Rondina shared.
This call to serve and inner flame of patriotism ignited within Rondina a determination to push beyond her limits.
The 5-foot-6 dynamo, upon seeing the lineup for the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup, felt assured that she could tackle the challenges ahead as long as she stood alongside Jia De Guzman and the other chosen representatives.
“So noong nalaman ko din ‘yung mga makakasama ko sabi ko, 'Sige, why not i-try ko dito sa indoor,'” Rondina said.
Despite the lack of preparation, Rondina and the rest of Alas Pilipinas defied the odds and exceeded expectations, taking down Australia, India, Iran, and Chinese Taipei to complete a massive sweep of Pool A.
This dream run served as their ticket to the country’s first semifinal appearance in any Asian Volleyball Confederation-sanctioned tournament since 1961.
While the Philippines bid farewell to its championship hopes after suffering a heartbreaker to Kazakhstan a day prior, the Filipinas rallied together and secured a historic bronze finish with a resounding rout of Australia on Wednesday, May 29.
The monumental victory marked the country's first medal in the AVC since joining the confederation 63 years ago.
This also ended the five-year podium drought of the women’s national team, which last bagged double bronze medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) V. League legs in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, and Santa Rosa, Philippines, back in 2019.
“Sobrang saya kasi nagsama sama kami nag training [ng buo] dalawang araw lang. ‘Yung dalawa pang araw anim lang kami, so sobrang saya kasi walang nag expect na ganito ‘yung outcome ng lineup namin and siguro pinanindigan lang din naming, lagi naming sinasabi na andito na 'to, panindigan na natin,” Rondina gushed.
“Kahit ako nagda-doubt din sa sarili ko pero ito kami ngayon pinakita kung anong meron ang mga Pilipino. Ayun, thankful kami.”
Rondina also extended her heartfelt gratitude to all who rallied behind Alas Pilipinas, from the steadfast supporters who stood by the team through moments of doubt to those who braved the rainy weather to pack the Rizal Memorial Coliseum with their unwavering support.
“Grabe lagare talaga pero wala eh kami ‘yung nilagay dito and nagpapasalamat kami talaga sa mga taong sumuporta, sa mga totoong sumusuporta,” she said.
“Ang dami naming nababasa actually pero okay lang basta dinala namin ‘tong country and we're part of [history], and para sa kanila ‘tong panalo na ‘to, most especially sa mga taong hindi kami iniwan sa pinakauna pa lang.”
Now that Alas Pilipinas have concluded their Challenge Cup campaign, Rondina plans to prioritize her well-deserved rest. She admitted feeling some discomfort in her knee, prompting the need for recovery.
But if another call of duty beckons, she is ready to answer.
“Mas pipliin ko muna sigurong mag rest muna talaga kasi kanina pinilit ko na lang din talagang maglaro kasi may something sa tuhod. Kailangan na talagang magpahinga pero minor lang naman pero nama-manage namin,” Rondina said.
“Ayun nandito na 'to. Siyempre kung ano pa rin yung mga opportunites, grab pa rin.”