MANILA, Philippines — Sisi Rondina, a Southeast Asian Games beach volleyball gold medalist, has admitted that adapting and acclimating herself to indoor volleyball once more was not easy.
After missing two Choco Mucho Flying Titans conferences, Rondina returned in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference and led her squad with 16 points in a win over Akari Chargers.
As easy to watch her fly and slam the ball, the pint-sized gunner bared that she only had a short period of adjustment.
"Honestly, it was a real struggle for me, especially playing indoors because my adaptation period was supposed to take two months,” she told the media in Filipino.
“I only found out later that [the tournament] was already in January. I was supposed to have a vacation, but I didn't go through with it because once I learned the AFC was in January, I went straight from my adaptation phase,” she added.
Rondina prioritized her duties with the Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball team, where her hard work bore fruit as she, Bernadeth Pons, Dij Rodriguez, and Sunny Villapando claimed the historic gold and ended Thailand’s long-standing reign in the SEA Games.
“Especially after playing in the SEA Games—I only had one day before going straight back into indoor adaptation, so that hunger to return was really there. I’m just happy that, somehow, I was able to show what I can do and perform well indoors.”
Back on the regular program, Rondina continued to prove that she’s a reliable offensive gun for the Flying Titans, teaming up with former teammate in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Eya Laure. But what Rondina missed the most in playing with Choco Mucho was having the guidance of coach Dante Alinsunurin.
“What I missed most was Coach Dante. I spent eight months listening to nothing but English, and now I finally get to hear Tagalog again. Of course, I also really missed his guidance in our game. He’s so patient with us, and we’re going to work hard and improve on the things we need to work on,” she shared. For the head coach, there’s no pressure on Rondina’s adjustment to indoor.
“I just let her be and let her do what she wants with his life as long as she shows up every time we have training. That’s just how it is... for me, as a coach, I give my players a chance, you know? Whatever problems they’re going through, they really need guidance, you really need to talk to them.”
“Whatever they’re feeling, if they need to rest, I’ll handle it professionally, but [I'll tell them] you need to be here and you need to work. But as long as you’re not ready yet and still need to adjust, we’re just here to be patient and look after you in that kind of situation."