Despite standing at 5-foot-6, Sisi Rondina still found a way to deliver for Alas Pilipinas against the much taller Australian Volleyroos in the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
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.
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“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.
“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.”
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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.