Bernadeth Pons is stoked to once again don the tricolors as she reunites with Sisi Rondina in a beach volleyball redemption tour in the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games later this year.
The Creamline spiker will hit the sands once again in hopes of a better finish in the biennial meet slated from 9 to 20 December after a disappointing finish in the previous edition in Cambodia.
Pons and Rondina, who played with separate partners, failed in their attempt for a third straight podium finish.
But with the SEA Games still months away, the reigning Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference Most Valuable Player is focused on fulfilling her national duties in indoor volleyball.
The 28-year-old outside hitter has been contributing significant numbers in the Cool Smashers’ campaign in the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Champions League.
“I’m just really grateful because this is my first time representing the country in indoor volleyball,” Pons said.
“It’s even more special that I get to do it with Creamline. I’m just enjoying the opportunity and the moment of playing right now.”
Despite Creamline’s 17-25, 16-25, 16-25 loss to Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu on Monday, Pons still cherished every second of representing the country in front of the home crowd.
“This is an international tournament, and we’re facing international teams. Whether our opponents are tall or small, we’re all playing the same game — volleyball,” she said.
“We all train hard, so what really matters is courage, whoever we’re up against.”
The Cool Smashers, with a 1-1 record, secured their quarterfinals appearance after Zhetysu defeated Al Naser — 25-10, 25-15, 25-11 — making Creamline and the Kazakhstan-based squad the top two teams to advance to the next round.
The Jordan women’s club dropped to 0-2.