Sisi Rondina Sees Brighter Future in PH Beach Volleyball as Young Stars Leave Their Footprints

Every generation leaves something behind, a footprint in the sand, but for Philippine beach volleyball, the next one might just be getting started.

After years of competing on the sand and representing the country, Sisi Rondina has seen the challenges that come with pursuing the sport at the highest level. Now, with a promising generation of young talents making their presence felt, the Cebuana volleyball star sees plenty of reasons to believe that brighter days lie ahead.

For Rondina, the emergence of these young athletes is more than an encouraging development. It is proof that the sport she has dedicated years to still has plenty of room to grow.

Brighter Days Ahead
Philippine beach volleyball has another reason to look forward to the future, with young talents Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara proving that they can compete against some of the best in the sport.

The duo made their presence felt after defeating Rondina and partner Bernadeth Pons in an all-Filipino final at the FIVB Beach Pro Tour Futures in Busan, South Korea, last August.

While Rondina and Pons settled for silver, Progella and Pagara claimed the gold medal before continuing their impressive run by capturing a historic bronze medal in the women’s beach volleyball tournament at the 2026 Asian Games.

For Rondina, seeing the young duo reach such heights has been a welcome development, especially after witnessing their growth up close.

In fact, the veteran admitted that she enjoys the challenge of going up against the young Filipinas, knowing that their experience has continued to grow through international competitions.

“Yung mga bata kasi kakaiba na meron sila. Kahit ako sa tagal ko na naglalaro sa beach, gusto ko silang kalaban lagi lalo na ngayon na mas tumaas experience nun dahil sa nakuha nila sa Asian Games,” Rondina told ALL-STAR.

What makes Progella and Pagara stand out, according to Rondina, is their commitment to the sport and their refusal to back down even when the demands of competition become difficult.

“Committed talaga yung mga batang ‘yun. Wala kang maririnig dun na reklamo. Siguro iiyak kasi pagod, pero di sumusuko ‘yun sila,” she added.

Beyond their determination, Rondina also sees something familiar in the duo’s journey.

Whenever she spends time with Progella and Pagara, she is reminded of the University of Santo Tomas coaching staff who helped introduce her to beach volleyball and played an important role in shaping her career.

“For me, pag lagi ko sila kasama, ‘yung coaching staff ng UST lang naiisip ko. Kasi dun kami nagsimula eh, and credits din talaga sa kanila kasi nalaman namin ang larong beach volleyball,” she said.

Having experienced the challenges of building a career in the sport herself, Rondina hopes the younger generation receives the continued support and opportunities necessary to reach even greater heights.

“Praying na sana magtuloy-tuloy ang suporta kasi sa totoo lang, malayo ang mararating nung mga bata na ‘yun. Sana di nila sukuan din kasi kita na natin na kaya nila makipagsabayan,” she said.

“Sana magtuloy-tuloy ‘yung exposure nila. Baka soon sila na rin ang isa sa mga susuportahan natin katulad ng mga ibang atleta na nag-e-excel internationally.”

For Rondina, the young duo’s success is worth celebrating, especially knowing how much they love the sport. She even admitted that if circumstances eventually take her away from competing on the sand, she would find comfort in knowing that athletes like Progella and Pagara are there to carry the country’s campaign forward.

“And I would say na kung tadhana na ang mag-desisyon na di makapaglaro na sa beach, masaya ako kasi andun sila and alam ko kung mas gagandahan pa nila ang run kasi alam namin gaano nila kamahal ang beach volleyball,” Rondina said.

Finding Her Rhythm Back 
While Rondina continues to look forward to the development of Philippine beach volleyball, she is also embracing another transition in her own career.

After representing the country alongside Pons in the Asian Games, the veteran returned to indoor volleyball, bringing her experience on the sand back to the taraflex as part of Choco Mucho Flying Titans.

The transition, however, proved to be more manageable this time around.

Unlike her preparation for the Southeast Asian Games, which kept her away from indoor volleyball for almost a year, Rondina only spent four months away from the hard court following the Asian Games.

“Honestly, mas naging madali ang transition ngayon kasi four months lang kami wala, which is ‘yung Asian Games. Di katulad noong sa SEA Games, almost one year din ang preparation namin dun,” she explained to ALL-STAR.

Still, returning to indoor volleyball came with its own adjustments.

Having played beach volleyball as a defender, Rondina admitted that getting accustomed to a smaller court and having more teammates around her initially felt unfamiliar.

“Sa una nakakapanibago kasi may mga kasama and mas maliit na ang court para sa akin since defender ako sa beach,” she said.

Despite the differences between the two disciplines, Rondina believes her time on the sand has also helped develop skills that she can bring into the indoor game.

Among them are her attacking ability and her instincts when chasing down the ball.

The transition also means stepping away, at least temporarily, from a sport that has given her some of her most meaningful experiences as an athlete.

For Rondina, competing in beach volleyball has never been without its challenges, but representing the Philippines has always made the sacrifices worthwhile.

“Marami pinagkaiba pero at the same time malaking tulong siya sa paglalaro. And pag bumabalik ako sa indoor, siyempre mamimiss ko ang beach,” she said.

“Sa totoo lang nahihirapan kami palagi sa sport na yun, pero iba yung feeling din kasi pag Pinas na ang dala mo.”

Her return to indoor volleyball also comes with a new dynamic in her partnership with Pons.

After years of competing together on the sand, the two are now on opposite sides of the net, with Rondina representing Choco Mucho and Pons playing for Creamline.

Naturally, Rondina admitted that she would miss having her longtime partner beside her on the court.

“Syempre mam-imiss ko siya kasama sa court kasi ‘yung puntos na nilalaban namin sa beach, kumbaga agawan na kami sino makauna para sa team namin,” she said with a laugh.

Still, Rondina hopes their separate journeys in the PVL will bring them their own opportunities for growth and success.

“I’m just hoping and praying na sa journey namin na magkahiwalay is healthy and siyempre maraming makuha sa paglalaro and to inspire young athletes,” she added.

For now, Rondina remains focused on finding consistency and contributing whatever she can to Choco Mucho, carrying the same competitive spirit that has defined her throughout her career.

Passing on the Lessons
Rondina’s journey in beach volleyball began long before her recent international campaigns.

She first represented UST in UAAP Season 77 beach volleyball in 2014, where she immediately made her mark by winning the championship and earning her first Most Valuable Player award.

More than a decade later, she has become one of the most recognizable faces of Philippine volleyball, with experiences that extend across both indoor and beach competitions.

Those years have also shaped the lessons she hopes younger athletes will carry as they pursue their own dreams.

For Progella, Pagara, and other aspiring beach volleyball players, Rondina has a simple reminder: never forget the people who helped them along the way, stay grounded, and continue inspiring others.

“Wag lang nilang kalimutan ang mga taong tumulong sa kanila and make their families proud. Mata sa langit, paa sa lupa. Maging humble lang lagi. And siyempre, maging inspirasyon sa nakararami,” she said.

Beyond the values she hopes the younger players will carry, Rondina also stressed the importance of continued institutional support in helping Filipino athletes reach their full potential.

“With the help of our leaders, maraming mararating ang mga Pilipinong atleta, di lang sa beach kundi sa lahat ng events ng sports. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” she said.

As for her own role in shaping the future of the sport, Rondina remains open to giving back whenever the opportunity comes.

Although she is still focused on her playing career, she hopes that one day she and the people she has shared the court with can help guide aspiring beach volleyball players.

“Siguro for me, kung bibigyan kami ng pagkakataon na makabilang sa pagtuturo, willing ako. Pero siyempre, di ko rin alam kung ano ang mangyayari, pero looking forward ako na isa kami sa makakatulong sa mga future athletes na gustong mag-beach volleyball,” Rondina said.

For an athlete who has experienced the highs and challenges of representing the Philippines on the sand, seeing a younger generation rise is already a reason to be hopeful.

And while her own journey continues on the taraflex, Rondina knows that the future of Philippine beach volleyball is in promising hands.

With athletes like Progella and Pagara leading the way, the next chapter of the country’s story on the sand could be even brighter.