Be it on the sands or the taraflex, Bernadeth Pons and Dij Rodriguez continue to weave their strong connection.
From the sun-soaked beaches to the indoor courts, the tight-knit chemistry of Bernadeth Pons and Dij Rodriguez remains strong as ever.
The duo flashed their connection in Creamline's straight-set drubbing of Strong Group Athletics in the 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conference on Tuesday.
[Related: Creamline remains unblemished, piles up on Strong Group's woes]
Pons and Rodriguez played instrumental in the decisive third set, where the Cool Smashers doused all hopes of an SGA comeback.
Pons showed resolve to give her longtime teammate a triumphant Creamline debut with 12 points, while relishing every moment they shared on the court.
"Siyempre nakakatuwa rin kasi before, kami sa beach, pinag uusapan din namin talaga 'yung comeback namin sa indoor," Pons shared of Rodriguez, who had five points in the rout.
Before suiting up for Creamline, Pons last played in the indoor circuit with the Petron Blaze Spikers in the now-defunct PSL. Meanwhile, Rodriguez last saw action with the Southwestern University Lady Cobras in the CESAFI before hitting the sands.
Now reunited with Rodriguez in a pink-and-white jersey, the FEU product could not help but miss Choco Mucho ace Sisi Rondina.
Rondina, Pons and Rodriguez bannered the Philippine women's beach volleyball team in the past, producing multiple medal finishes.
"Gusto pa nga namin na siyempre magkakasama pa rin. Pero siyempre may reason talaga bakit nahiwalay 'yung isa. Pero siyempre nakakatuwa kasi alam ko talaga and kilala namin na magpe-perform talaga siya," Pons bared.
Aside from giving Rodriguez a triumphant indoor return, Pons is glad to help keep Creamline undefeated with a 4-0 card for solo lead in the standings.
Still, the 5-foot-8 outside hitter knows full well that she and the rest of the Cool Smashers have work cut out for them.
"Sobrang malaking morale-booster 'yung panalo ngayon, pero siyempre andami pa talagang kailangan trabahuhin lalong lalo na sa next game namin, siyempre hindi pwedeng maging kampante," Pons said.
The next match in question will be against the win-hungry Chery Tiggo Crossovers, who are coming off arguably the biggest upset in the conference so far.
"Alam natin 'yung Chery galing sila ng talo, so siyempre gutom sila na makabawi. Siyempre hindi rin kami papayag, mas gugustuhin din namin na panalunin 'yung game pero siyempre umpisahan namin 'yun bukas sa ensayo so focus naman kami sa Chery na," Pons added.
Creamline collides with Chery Tiggo on March 16, Saturday, at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex.