PVL: Pons owes MVP and title campaign to beach volley experience

Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons celebrates after the Cool Smashers claimed the PVL Reinforced Conference championship.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — From representing the country on the sands, Bernadeth Pons had a successful return to professional indoor volleyball.

Pons’ breakout performance in the PVL was highlighted by a pair of MVP awards in the Reinforced Conference and the Finals after leading Creamline to its ninth championship.

The former Far Eastern University standout attributed her stellar stint to her experience playing for the Philippine beach volleyball team against international competition with Choco Mucho’s Sisi Rondina.

Like Pons, Rondina was also hailed MVP of the 2023 second All-Filipino Conference.

READ: PVL: Bernadeth Pons achieves ‘fulfilling’ feat with Creamline

Pons on joining her beach volleyball teammate Sisi Rondina as PVL MVP. #PVL2024 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/UeZC6o1v8l

— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) September 4, 2024

“Sobrang nakaka-proud din talaga lalo na kasi malaking bagay din talaga yung mga international kahit beach volleyball yun kasi sobra mga nakakalaban namin don hindi basta basta,” Pons said. “May mga nakalaban kaming Olympians, mga high-caliber din talaga so every game dami talaga natutunan kahit hindi namin naipanalo lahat pero yung lesson and experience yun yung baon namin dito sa indoor.”

It was also on Rondina’s 28th birthday when Pons and the Cool Smashers claimed the crown following a sweep of the Akari Chargers.

“Birthday niya today so binato ko siya kanina [bago maglaro]. Sobrang proud din ako sa mga na-achieve niya and sa mga maaachieve pa niya,” said Pons.

READ: Creamline’s Bernadeth Pons named PVL Reinforced MVP

Pons and Rondina faced each other in the last two All-Filipino Conferences with Creamline sweeping Choco Mucho on both occasions.

Rondina missed the Reinforced Conference due to her commitment with Alas Pilipinas while Pons shone brightly in the absence of her teammates three-time MVP winners Alyssa Valdez and Tots Carlos as well as 2019 MVP Jema Galanza to become Creamline’s fourth MVP. 

Pons also joined Jaja Santiago, the last PVL player to win both Conference and Finals MVP in Chery Tiggo’s title run in the bubble two years ago.