Sisi Rondina leads Alas Pilipinas in scoring in the loss against Vietnam in FIVB Challenger Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Sisi Rondina stood tall against the Vietnamese leading the gallant stand of Alas Pilipinas in the last two sets only for their FIVB Women’s Volleyball Challenger Cup campaign to end after just one game.
Rondina led Alas’ charge with 15 points, especially in keeping Vietnam within striking distance but the Filipinos still absorbed a 14-25, 22-25, 21-25 loss after her missed attack in the final set Friday evening before a soldout Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The former PVL MVP chose to look at the bright side of the loss, soaking in the learnings from regional power Vietnam, which will stand in the way of Alas Pilipinas’ quest to win a medal in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.
HIGHLIGHTS: Alas Pilipinas vs Vietnam FIVB Challenger Cup
“We are extremely grateful that we faced Vietnam; we learned a lot. There are many areas where we still need to improve,” said Rondina. “We are very happy because many people watched, especially our fellow Filipinos here in the Philippines. I am thankful for all the support.”
The 5-foot-6 spiker from Choco Mucho never wavered against the taller Vietnamese as she had a couple of through-the-block kills and spikes above her blockers, fueled by the motivation of team captain Jia De Guzman.
“Ate Jia just said that we shouldn’t think about anything else. We just need to show what we can do, and we know we have abilities that they can’t match. Even if we fell short, the fight was still there,” she said.
READ: Alas Pilipinas loses to Vietnam, bows out of FIVB Challenger Cup
Rondina was convinced with the team’s improvement with some key additions and more preparation time despite missing Eya Laure and Jen Nierva in the tournament.
“We improved especially in our skills and weakness because of all the advice our coaches gave us,” she said.
Rondina and Alas will head to Japan next week for a training camp before seeing action in the SEA V.League in August.