Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
University of Santo Tomas skipper Cherry Rondina on Sunday said seeing her mother for the first time in 14 years not only inspired her to do better in the UAAP Season 79 women’s volleyball tournament, but it also calmed her down knowing that what she dreamt for more than a decade has finally happened.
Rondina’s mother, Alona, worked in Brunei as an overseas Filipino worker and on Wednesday the two crossed paths for the first time in more than a decade.
“My mom has always been my inspiration and I think I’ve calmed down a bit because I’ve finally achieved that dream of having my family back together,” said Rondina after the Golden Tigresses swept University of the Philippines Lady Maroons, 25-20, 25-21, 25-16, at Mall of Asia Arena.
“I’ve calmed down and at the same time I’m overwhelmed because my family’s back together.”
Rondina, who finished with 14 points in the game, added she let her mother go back to their home of Compostelo, Cebu for the duration of the tournament.
This will allow her to focus on the UAAP and her studies while her mother will receive the utmost attention she can’t give if they’re both in Manila.
“She’ll be taken care of there, so it’s better if she’s there because I can’t take care of her if we’re both here in Manila,” said Rondina.