Frustrations pile up for Rondina as UST absorbs fifth straight loss

It’s been a while since Cherry Rondina displayed that energetic joyous aura in the UAAP Season 80 women’s volleyball tournament.

University of Santo Tomas is on the brink of elimination with its league-worst 2-7 record, no thanks to a miserable five-game losing skid that started in the first round of the tournament.

Rondina, who seems to be UST’s lone saving grace, was reduced to tears after yet another disappointing 25-21, 25-21, 25-23 loss to Far Eastern U on Wednesday, but her frustrations go beyond her performance.

READ: UAAP Volleyball: FEU pushes UST to brink of elimination with 3-set win

“Frustrated? I’m frustrated at our record . I’m also frustrated then our coaches have fought for us, but it seems we can’t fight for them with what we are showing on the court,” said Rondina in Filipino.

In their seventh defeat, Rondina finished with just 11 points, which is half of what she averaged prior to facing FEU.

The usually jolly and vocal Rondina, though, has tried to keep her dissatisfaction to herself as she wants the other players to have their say on UST’s predicament.

“I always tell them what I think about what’s happening with us, but there are times when I just keep quiet so they can also express what they feel,” said Rondina. “I need time to think because it’s not good if I’m the only one talking.”

“Of course it’s always better to hear the side of my teammates and then I’ll give my side.”

Although UST managed to keep it close until the final two points, with Rondina tying the third set at 23-23 after the Golden Tigresses were down 22-17, FEU still had the final laugh after Bernadeth Pons and Czarina Grace Carandang lifted the Lady Tamaraws in crunch time.

“It was a nice game, we fought back but we still don’t have the ability to win in the end-game,” said Rondina.