The historic All-Filipina finale may have overshadowed the title run of Sisi Rondina and Jovelyn Gonzaga, who faced one too many challenges at the World Beach Pro Tour.
It was Sunday, and it was the women’s finale at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in Subic.
On one side, there was the Philippines’ Dij Rodriguez and Jen Eslapor.
On the other, there was Sisi Rondina and Jovelyn Gonzaga. Also from the Philippines.
Bernadeth Pons, who is Rondina’s usual beach volleyball running mate, watched from the sidelines due to a shoulder injury. Together they won back-to-back bronze medals in the Southeast Asian Games.
Gonzaga is a volleyball star herself and a soldier who’s always ready. But she only got the call-up to replace Pons two weeks ago. She played with a conditioning that could be better, and a shoulder that is still not at 100 percent.
"I'm super tired, buti na lang nandoon si Sisi na nag-ga-guide," said Gonzaga.
Rondina, who also endured leg cramps throughout the final match, admitted that they were not exactly in high spirits coming into the tournament.
"Honestly, kinabahan kami," the Philippines’ Queen of Sands said in the interview right after winning the title. "Si ate [Jovelyn] kasi two weeks ko lang nakasama."
Aside from the less-than-ideal amount of time to prepare, Rondina also cited the strength of the competition that consisted of nine countries. “In terms of [pagiging] beterano, mas beterano talaga sila."
Yet, it still came down to an all-Filipina finale, with Rondina and Gonzaga taking the gold medal at the expense of Eslapor and Rodriguez, 22-24, 21-12, 15-12.
Gonzaga, who was candid about her struggles, is all joy. "Dalawang panalo lang hinihingi ko, binigyan pa kami ng gold.”
Meanwhile, Pons, the volleybelle whom Gonzaga replaced for this tourney, looked like she enjoyed cheering for the four Filipinas in the finale with other volleyball personalities.
They, too, were all smiles. Because in the end, the Philippines win. We all win.
(GM)