By NIKOLE JAVIER
Sisi Rondina was glad to have given herself a proper shot to play in international indoor competition.
The 27-year-old outside hitter made her indoors debut with Alas Pilipinas in the recently concluded 2024 AVC Challenge Cup.
There, the high-flyer Rondina became a key cog in steering the Philippines to its historic first-ever podium finish in an AVC-sanctioned tournament since joining the federation in 1961.
Prior to the AVC stint, Rondina professionally pursued her volleyball career beyond the Taraflex and became the country’s beach volleyball mainstay.
After four years, though, the 5-foot-6 Rondina officially returned indoors in 2023 after signing with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans in the PVL.
Rondina, who was nursing a minor knee issue, has revealed that she initially declined to play for Alas Pilipinas shortly after the season-opening All-Filipino Conference where Choco Mucho made its back-to-back franchise championship appearance.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa coaching staff na nagtiwala talaga. Kasi I already declined na talaga na ma-lineup ako rito sa national team kasi nga mas pipiliin kong magpahinga. Iba talaga ‘yung feeling na dalhin mo ‘yung country,” Rondina said.
“Noong nalaman ko rin mga kasama ko, sige why not try ko rito sa indoor. Knowing indoor international talaga kahit ako nagda-doubt sa sarili ko,” she added.
Still feeling the aftermath of the grueling season, Rondina also added that having limited time to prepare eventually became a driving force for Alas Pilipinas to go all out and make the most of the opportunity in front of the hysterical volleyball home crowd.
“Sobrang saya kasi nagsama sama kami na training dalawang araw lang. Noong dalawa pang araw hindi naman kumpleto,” she said.
“Walang nag-expect na ganito ‘yung outcome from our lineup. Siguro pinanindigan na lang namin dahil nandito na kami.”
