Alas Pilipinas Women etched their names in SEA Games history by dethroning Thailand to claim the Philippines’ first-ever women’s beach volleyball gold medal.
The Alas Pilipinas Women’s beach volleyball team delivered a breakthrough moment on the sand, capturing a historic SEA Games 2025 gold medal after dethroning host Thailand in the Finals on Friday, December 19, at Jomtien Beach in Chonburi.
The Philippine pair of Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons set the tone early, sweeping Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat, 21-17, 21-15, to put Alas Women one win away from the title.
Moments later, Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez completed the golden run, taking down Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numvong in three sets, 21-13, 17-21,15-6, to seal the Philippines’ long-awaited top-podium finish.
The gold medal triumph was all the more meaningful given the context. The Philippines had already faced Thailand earlier in the tournament, where the hosts swept Alas Women in the preliminary round.
In the finals, however, the Filipinas flipped the script—showing sharper execution, composure, and belief when it mattered most.
For Rondina, Pons, and Rodriguez, the victory marked a major leap forward from their previous SEA Games outings. Meanwhile, this was Villapando’s first biennial meet.
Prior to this campaign, their best finishes came in the form of bronze medals in the 2019 and 2021 SEA Games.
The Thais had dominated all eight previous editions of the women’s beach volleyball event since its introduction in 2003, with no tournaments held in 2013, 2015, and 2017.
—
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.