CHONBURI, Thailand — From a stinging loss in the eliminations to the top step of the podium, Alas Pilipinas Women authored a defining comeback, dethroning Thailand and capturing a historic gold medal in women’s beach volleyball at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Jomtien Beach.
The Filipinas swept the host Thais, 2-0, in the finals to halt a 22-year monopoly that saw Thailand win all eight previous SEA Games gold medals since beach volleyball became a medal sport in 2003.
Negrense standouts Bernadeth Pons and Cherry Rondina set the tone early, overpowering Thailand’s Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat, 21-17, 21-15, to give the Philippines the early edge.
Sunny Villapando and Dij Rodriguez then delivered the championship-clinching point with a gritty 21-13, 17-21, 15-6 win over Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numwong, sealing one of the biggest upsets in SEA Games beach volleyball history.
The title run carried added significance for Alas Pilipinas, which had absorbed a lopsided defeat to Thailand in the final elimination round earlier in the tournament before turning the tables when it mattered most.
“Grabe, sobrang saya, lalong-lalo na sa amin ni Pons na pang-lima na namin ito and nakapag-gold din kami sa international,” Rondina said.
“May mga teammates, may mga coaches kami, management na alam kong nagtitiwala sa amin and ang ginawa lang namin, is magtrabaho. Sabi ko nga magiging consistent lang kami, ‘yUng podium andyan lang. I think consistency lang din ipinakita namin kaya kami nakapag-gold ngayon,” she added.
The breakthrough gold capped years of steady progress for Philippine women’s beach volleyball. The country first reached the SEA Games podium with a bronze medal in 2005, followed by back-to-back bronze finishes in 2019 and 2021. After missing the medals in 2023, Alas Pilipinas returned stronger, finally delivering the long-sought gold./PN
