Alas women's beach volley duos reach Asiad quarterfinals

NAGOYA—The Philippines scored twin victories in the round of 16 of women’s beach volleyball in the 2026 Asian Games on Monday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons secured a spot in the quarterfinals with a Round of 16 win over Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame, 21-17, 21-15.

Khylem Harl Progella and Sofiah Shanine Pagara, on the other hand, ousted N.L. Tsang and M.C. Wong, 26-24, 21-18, to also reach the quarterfinals.

“We put things in the right place and we were able to perform the best we can,” coach Leonardo Gomes said.

Rondina and Pons admitted they were determined to put their opening day loss to Kazakhstan behind them and respond in the knockout stage.

“Siguro yun yung nagpatibay sa amin kanina kasi yung from the past game namin, di talaga namin tanggap na ganun yung nilaro namin,” Rondina said.

She added that the team entered the Round of 16 knowing they had to stay focused, move better and execute their game plan until the end.

Pons called the pool-stage loss a “wake-up call,” saying the pair remained optimistic despite the setback and focused on what they could learn from it.

“Sometimes our biggest opponent is not on the opposite side of the court but what’s inside our minds, so maybe yun yung isang baon namin ngayon,” Pons said.

Pagara, on the other hand, said the team has what it takes to compete, but must develop greater confidence in its own ability.

“Nandun na po yung skills namin, yung tiwala na lang talaga sa sarili,” she said.

Progella meanwhile vowed to keep fighting alongside her teammate.

“Nandito kaming dalawa at lalaban kami hanggang kaya namin,” she said.

Pagara also credited the Filipino fans for giving them an extra boost, saying the chants helped push them through the match.

“Yung sigaw sa labas ng court nakakaboost ng confidence. Madinig yung ‘Laban

Pilipinas,’ kaya pinupush namin, pinanalo namin yung set na yun,” she said.

Both players know there is still work to do, with Pagara and Progella emphasizing the need to improve day by day and continue believing in themselves.

“Kailangan day by day iangat lang yung skill na meron kami kasi maraming naniniwala, lalo na mga coaches, na kaya pa namin iangat kung ano yung talent na bigay ni Lord,” Pagara said.

The pair faces Japan next.