WINNING has become habit for Sisi Rondina, but the Creamline 1’s ace isn’t taking things lightly in the Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour in Santa Ana, Cagayan.
“I still feel the jitters, even when I’m already on the sand, even when I know my opponents,” Rondina told a television interview on Monday night. “I fear that my game can go wrong anytime.”
“But I calm myself down by sticking to my goal and I just allow myself to enjoy the game,” the four-time BVR champion said.
Living up to the billing as heavy favorites, Rondina and Bernadeth Pons played their usual game to rule the first leg on Monday unbeaten in six matches and without dropping a set in the bubble.
Without a doubt, Rondina’s chemistry with Pons work wonders. Started as the tandem known as “SiPons” in 2017, the ertswhile collegiate rivals are always on the same page to be successful in every tournament.
“We always have a common goal. We are both hard workers and we commit ourselves to the game,” Rondina said.
Rondina was all praises for Good Health-CDO, which is composed of rising stars Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor, for giving her and Pons a good fight in the final.
Creamline 2’s Krung Arbasto, meanwhile, is grateful in the men’s championship with former college rival Jude Garcia.
“I’m very thankful that our partnership clicked,” Arbasto, a six-time BVR winner, said. “We sacrificed a lot on this one. What we’re doing is for the country.”
Like Rondina and Pons, Arbasto and Garcia are marked men in the second leg that begins on Thursday.
“The pressure’s on. We are aware that everybody wants to beat us,” Arbasto said. “But we’ll continue to work hard to keep the title.”