CEBUANA spiker Cherry Rondina remained undaunted in her quest for yet another beach volleyball title as she teamed up with fellow Visayas standout Patty Orendain to dispose of Petron XCS, 21-9, 21-8, in the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Challenge Cup beach volleyball tournament yesterday at the Sands By the Bay in Mall of Asia.
Rondina, who hails from Compostela, was relentless in her all-around display of guile, power and speed which overwhelmed the seasoned tandem of Bang Pineda and Aiza Pontillas.
Rondina, a University of Santo Tomas (UST) sophomore who ruled the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) beach volleyball competition last year as well as the Nestea Beach Volley wars just last month, displayed impressive form as she foiled the attacks of the taller Maizo-Pontillas while Orendain took care of the backline defense.
The Toplander roared to a sizzling start in the first set to throw the Tri-Activ Spikers off their comfort zone, thanks to their airtight defense and well-placed drop shots.
“We just did what we’re doing in practice,” said Rondina, who used to rule the beach volley circuit in Cebu before transferring to Manila. “They (Maizo-Pontillas and Pineda) are such a veteran team. So we focused on the defense and made sure that we won’t commit any unnecessary errors.”