SISI Rondina and Bernadeth Pons left everything in the sand court before bowing to Japan’s Sakurako Fujii and Minori Kumada, 21-17, 21-19, ending the Philippines’ campaign in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open presented by Globe last May 26, 2019.
The country matched its best Beach World Tour finish of fifth place in the Manila Open 1-star last year with Rondina and Dzi Gervacio. Incidentally, Sakurako was the one that eliminated Rondina and Gervacio with Shinako Tanaka.
“We are still grateful that we were able to face them. We gained experience,” said Rondina.
Rondina and Pons finished their international debut as partners with two victories. They pulled off a dominant 21-18, 21-6 win over Ekaterina Filina and Ekaterina Zazhigina of Russia to clinch a spot in the quarterfinals after losing to Japan’s Satono Ishitsubo and Asami Shiba, 16-21, 19-21, earlier in the day.
“We weren’t dominated. They did not rout us. We saw what we were capable of. We just need longer training and more exposure in international tournaments,” said Pons. Sakurako and Minori, who have paired for six events this year, were really pushed to the limit against Rondina and Pons, the highly-popular Filipina pair who reunited in the four-day tournament organized by the Beach Volleyball Republic.
“Rondina was tough,” said Sakurako. “She improved her defense. I remember last year, she was good in digging. She also improved in receiving.”
The Japanese were still able to progress to Sunday’s semifinals despite the loud cheers for the Rondina-Pons tandem by the home crowd. (PR)