By REY C. LACHICA
SUBIC – Sisi Rondina and first-time partner Jovelyn Gonzaga arrived here almost unnoticed being nobodies in a tournament as big as this. Well, not anymore.
Gonzaga and Rondina emerged as the surprise package as they reigned supreme in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures with a gusty win over Genesa Jane “Jen” Eslapor and Floremel Rodriguez, 22-24, 21-12, 15-12, in a rare All-Filipino Finals Sunday, Dec. 11, at the Subic Bay Sand Court.
The victory of Rondina and Gonzaga was a historic one as they became the first Filipino tandem to win in an elite tournament.
And Esplapor and Rodriguez?
Like Rondina and Gonzaga, they should be given a medal of valor after being acclaimed as the tournament’s Japanese killers.
They came into the ultimate match riding on a three-game winning streak over Japanese rivals, including against Miyu Sakamoto and Mayu Sawame, who they beat, 16-21, 28-26, 15-13, in the semis.
Just like in their semis win over Israelis Yahli Ashush and Anita Dave, 20-22, 21-8, 17-15, Rondina and Gonzaga also started tentatively which Esplapor and Rodriguez took full advantage.
But once they discovered their offensive rhythm, Rondina and Gonzaha were a joy watch, complementing each other well on the way to a history-setting win that delighted the officials of the organizing Philippine National Volleyball Federation, headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
The third and deciding set was as dramatic as the opening, but this time, the vast experience of the 31-year-old Gonzaga and clever shots of Rondina made the difference.
Esplapor and Rodriguez took the loss in stride, claiming their victories over Japanese rivals will serve them in good stead in the future.
Actually, all four players had flights booked with Rondina flying to Cebu, Rodriguez to Negros Occidental and Espolar to Cagayan de Oro—for Sunday night at Manila’s airport in anticipation of an early exit from the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
“Honestly, we never expected this one, all of us,” said Gonzaga, a member of the Philippine Army — also on Sunday night. “That’s why no party for us.”
Tipjan Pithak and Taovato Poravid beat Kaewsai Dunwinit and Techakijvorak Intuch, 21-15, 21-19, in the all-Thailand men’s final, while Latvia’s Martin Plavins and Mikhail Samoilov downed Thailand’s Jongklang Surin and Nakprakhong Banlue, 21-19, 21-17, to capture the bronze medal.
