Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Bernadeth Pons rose to the occasion in her first Creamline-Choco Mucho game and duel with longtime Philippine women’s beach volleyball teammate Sisi Rondina in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With three-time Most Valuable Players Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos playing sparingly, the Cool Smashers found a new hero in Pons as she played her best PVL game yet with 22 points in their 25-18, 25-16, 24-26, 25-21 win over the Flying Titans in front of 14,014 spectators.
The do-it-all spiker, who saw limited action in her PVL stint in the Invitationals coming off a four-year hiatus in indoor play, was thrilled to finally display her lethal form in the pros.
“Sobrang saya ako kasi goal ko talaga na makabalik talaga 100 percent eh after nung last conference kasi alam ko na mas marami pa akong maitutulong sa team,” said Pons, who also tallied 11 digs and seven excellent receptions.
“Tinrabaho ko talaga every day yung rehab ko kasi yung sa injury ko before. Sobrang saya na nakikita ko na yung hirap ko and mahaba pa ang season so yun, tuloy tuloy pa,” she added.
Bernadeth Pons.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Valdez, who only played in the last two sets, was the happiest Creamline member for Pons after the former Far Eastern University star came out of her shell and led the Cool Smashers to a good start in their second All-Filipino title defense this year.
“Seeing Pons work really hard not only in practice, but we know she does extra work for her to be at 100 percent and I guess that’s the nice thing about Pons and Creamline we inspire each other, we motivate each other,” Valdez said. “It’s just so nice to see everyone respect each other in the team and the culture that we live by it.”
Pons also enjoyed rekindling her college rivalry against Rondina, who carried Choco Mucho with 21 points.
“Nakakaexcite lang din talaga na after how many years na naglalaro kami sa beach, ngayon lang din ulit kami naglaban ulit. Yun, wala lang nakakatuwa kasi kilalang kilala namin maglaro yung isa’t isa,” she said.