Rondina-Pons starts beach volleyball defense

MANILA, Philippines — Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons of Petron XCS gear up for a tough challenge as they start defense of their crown in the Philippine Superliga (PSL) Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup beginning today at Sands By the Bay in Mall of Asia.

Rondina and Pons, considered two of the top beach volley players today, will be up against a crack roster of rivals, led by veterans Danika Gendrauli and Nene Bautista of Cocolife-A and last year’s runner-up Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain of Generika-Ayala-A in Pool A.

“We started training after the UAAP because we’re trying to make up for the lost time,” said Pons, who with Rondina also represented the country in the 29th Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Singapore last year.

Also seeing action are Mylene Paat and Rap-Rap Aguilar of Cignal-A; Bang Pineda and Sheeka Espinosa of Generika-Ayala-B; and Dhannylaine Demontano and Jackie Estoquia of Sta. Lucia A in Pool B.

Pool C is composed of NCAA beach volley champion Nieza and Jeziela Viray of Foton; Cherry May Vivas and Janine Navarro of Cignal-B; and Cecilia Bangad and Caitlyn Viray of Smart.