Alas Pilipinas Women booked a historic first SEA Games beach volleyball Finals berth after sweeping Vietnam, assuring the country of its best finish in the event.
Alas Pilipinas Women made history on Monday, December 15, after clinching their first-ever Finals berth in beach volleyball at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, sweeping Vietnam at Jomtien Beach in Chonburi, Thailand.
The Philippine contingent, bannered by the pairings of Sisi Rondina–Bernadeth Pons and Dij Rodriguez–Sunny Villapando, went unbeaten in four matches to book a spot in the gold medal game—already assuring the country of its best SEA Games finish in the sport.
[ALSO READ: Rondina, Pons savor long-awaited SEA Games win vs Indonesia: ‘Talagang pahirapan every puntos’]
Rodriguez and Villapando sealed the historic finals ticket by outlasting Ngoc Lan Chau and Le Thi Tuong Vy Nguyen in three tight sets, 22-20, 19-21, 15-10, showing composure in the deciding frame.
Earlier, Rondina and Pons set the tone with a gritty 21-18, 15-21, 15-10 win over Thi My Nga Dinh and Hong Hanh Mai.
After missing the podium in Cambodia in 2023, the veteran Rondina–Pons tandem—both two-time SEA Games bronze medalists—along with Rodriguez and SEA Games debutant Villapando, are now guaranteed a podium finish, with a chance to climb even higher.
Alas will face the unbeaten Thailand on December 19 in the gold medal match. Before that, the Philippines and Thailand will meet on Wednesday for a preliminary round showdown that could determine momentum heading into the championship duel.
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.