Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons reunite to lead Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball team in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures Nuvali.
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are back on the sand together, spearheading the Philippines' campaign in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Futures Nuvali, which begins Thursday, May 2, at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The duo — dubbed "SiPons" — reunite after years as rivals in the local indoor professional scene, looking to recapture the chemistry that earned them gold at the BPT Futures Subic Bay in 2022.
This time, their eyes are set on the elusive Southeast Asian Games gold, having twice finished with bronze medals.
[ALSO READ: Bernadeth Pons, Sisi Rondina set for beach volleyball return in 2025 SEA Games]
Rondina and Pons will be joined by four other women’s teams and four men’s tandems representing Alas Pilipinas in the event, which features entries from 19 countries, including powerhouses like the United States, Germany, Latvia, Netherlands, Australia, and Japan.
Among the rising stars are UST’s Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara, who have impressed in recent international stints. Former NCAA standout Sunnie Kalani Villapando, who previously played for Stanford and USC, also returns with partner Jen Gaviola after a solid outing in Thailand’s Songkhla Futures last month.
“This is mental preparation,” said Villapando. “We’re competing, training, and getting our mindset right for the SEA Games.”
[ALSO READ: Invitational champs Progella-Pagara lead Alas Pilipinas to rousing start in AVC Beach Tour]
UAAP champions Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa of National University are also in the field, while veteran Alexa Polidario partners with Dij Rodriguez for this leg of the tour.
On the men’s side, silver medalists from a previous Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour--Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton--headline the Philippine roster. The tandem was instrumental in securing a SEA Games bronze in Cambodia last year.
Also returning are Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino, along with the pair of Ronniel Rosales and Alex Iraya.
Meanwhile, world No. 88 pair Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov of Israel, fresh off their title run in the Songkhla Futures, are among the favorites to win it all.
The tournament serves as both a high-level competition and vital preparation for the Philippine beach volleyball squad as they aim for SEA Games glory later this year.