Sisi Rondina: From Shoreline Runs to Volleyball Stardom
Sisi Rondina has been an icon in volleyball for a long time—from being a talented tigress to dominating the pro scene of beach and indoor volleyball.
However, Sisi revealed her initial sport was not volleyball. As someone who lived near the shore, she grew a liking for running.
“So unang sport talaga na gusto ko is takbo. Kasi syempre, nakatira sa tabing-dagat, gano’n,” Rondina shared. “Parang destiny talaga siguro ‘yon na ilalagay ako sa volleyball.”
Rondina mentioned that her mother influenced her to get to know volleyball. Sisi was taught to play the sport as a part of their mother-daughter bonding.
“Kasi ‘yung mama ko, galing sa Brunei. Parang biglaang uwi lang, one week, and then tinuruan niya ako mag-volleyball. Out of nowhere lang, so leisure time lang namin.”
Sisi added, “And then kinabukasan, may pa-try outs. Kasi magpo-provincial or district meet ata ‘yon. Nagpa-try out, sumali ako. And then, pumasok ako sa mga clinics, tyinaga ko ‘yon. Sa mga laro, baranggayan, so ayon.. Hanggang sa [andito na ako].”
While the journey has not been linear, Sisi Rondina has undoubtedly been successful in her volleyball career. Multiple awards and accolades surround Sisi Rondina’s name from her collegiate to professional career.
Alongside being currently ranked No. 2 Best Scorer of the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, Rondina also holds the pressure of being a team captain.
She shared that her biggest learning was that everything starts within herself, ultimately influencing her teammates, “Syempre, ipakita mo muna kung paano magtrabaho.”
“Mga teammates ko naman, sumusunod ‘yung iba,” said Sisi. “Kung may maimpluwensiyahan man ako, sa mga nakikita nila sa akin.”
Sisi also shared, “Syempre, ‘yung tibay ng loob every time na pinapasok o nilalaro ka, kahit sa training. Lagi kong pinapakita ‘yon.”
Her words to her teammates remain the same: “Treat training as a game. Treat the game as a championship game.”