Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez, and Sunny Villapando could not hide their happiness as they halted eight-time champion Thailand's dynastic reign in Southeast Asian Games women's beach volleyball.
During the finale, Team 1 Rondina and Pons dominated Thailand's Kongphopsarutawadee Worapeerachayakorn and Taravadee Naraphornrapat, 21-17, 21-15, and the Team 2 of Rodriguez and Villapando defeated Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numwong in three sets, 21-13, 17-21, 15-6, to secure the gold.
It was a longtime coming, but Rondina was just grateful as she and Pons—popularly known as "SiPons"—not just came back stronger after missing out on the podium last 2023 Cambodia Games, but surpassed their previous best of bronze medal finishes.
READ: Alas Pilipinas stuns 8-time champ Thailand for breakthrough SEAG beach volley gold
The beach volley star out of University of Santo Tomas highlighted the team's consistency that was a key point to dethroning the defending champs.
"Sobrang saya, lalong lalo na sa amin ni Pons—panglima na namin 'to, and nakapag-gold din kami sa international [tournament]. And sobrang grateful, kasi may mga kasama kami, may mga teammates, mga coaches, management kami na alam naming nagtitiwala talaga sa amin," said Rondina right after their triumph.
"Ang ginawa lang talaga namin is magtrabaho. Sabi ko nga, magiging consistent lang kami, podium nandiyan lang. So I think consistency lang din talaga 'yung napakita namin kaya kami naka-gold ngayon. And siyempre, 'yung tiwala lang namin na makuha namin na makuha 'yung gold," she added.
VICTORY FOR ALAS. Alas Pilipinas after pulling off a shocker against the mighty Thailand at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games. POC MediaPons said she "manifested" for this triumph to happen, and even played that very scenario in her head.
"Ako, sobrang grateful ko lang din talaga kay Lord, kasi minanifest ko talaga itong gold namin. Ilang beses ko rin na-imagine 'yung moment na ganito— minsan naluluha na lang ako bigla kasi nai-imagine ko 'yung moment na 'to," said Pons. "Totoo pala talaga 'yung manifestation, pero siyempre may kasamang hard work."
Rodriguez highlighted that she kept the faith that they would reach the SEA Games mountaintop. "Finally, sinagot ni Lord 'yung mga panalangin namin," she said.
Villapando looked back at their journey, giving emphasis to the sacrifices they had to go through.
"I don't think anybody sees, like you get to see this shiny moment but we all know the pain and the heartbreak that happened every single day at practice. And I think that this was a result of all of us sacrificing something."