Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are the perfect rivals and also the best of teammates.
The two are on the opposite sides of the greatest multi-sport rivalry in UAAP history, University of Santo Tomas vs. Far Eastern University, with Rondina donning the Tiger stripes and Pons representing the Tamaraws’ colors.
UST has the most UAAP General Championships with 42 while FEU is at far second with 16.
But Rondina and Pons set aside their differences as both represent Petron in the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Tournament Challenge Cup.
And on Sunday, the Philippines’ quintessential beach volleyball partnership captured their second straight title in the PSL after thrashing Sta. Lucia Realty’s DM Demontano and Jackielyn Estoquia, 21-8, 21-11 at Sands SM By the Bay.
Rondina and Pons, who suited up in the Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball Championships in 2017, both said that being partners with each other push them to limits they only reach when they become teammates.
“Pons’ goal is to win and my goal is also to win,” said Rondina in Filipino. “Our goals just match each other and that’s where we connect in our mutual goal of winning the championship.”
Rondina and Pons already are the most decorated pair in PSL’s Challenge Cup having won two of the four titles in the beach volleyball tournament.
And it’s not just the pair’s athletic prowess that pushed them to title-winning form but an insatiable drive that only they have.
“Sisi as a partner will really push you because you will see her and she’s not stopping for anything,” said Pons in Filipino. “If there’s an opportunity to score she will score so as a teammate you can’t be tired when you’re with her. If she’s youre teammate you don’t have a choice but fight.”