REIGNING UAAP beach volleyball Most Valuable Player Cherry Ann Rondina’s high level of intensity has finally paid
off after she led the struggling UST Golden Tigresses to a much-needed victory
against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws last Saturday, Jan. 10.
After dominating the sand court in the
first half of the UAAP last year, the Cebuana standout has been quietly making
an impact for the Golden Tigresses this season, acting as a spark plug off the
bench.
Against the Lady Tamaraws and with
prized recruit EJ Laure struggling, she finally exploded, delivering a
career-high 16 points to help UST snap a five-game losing skid.
“Ine-enjoy ko lang kapag pinasok ako.
Na mo-motivate ako na laban lang tayo. Sabi nga ni coach maghanda lang kami
[rookies], kasi minsan on and off din po ‘yung laro nung mga [senior] players,”
Rondina told reporters after her impressive outing.
Aside from providing energy to her
team, Rondina admitted that she was also trying to be a leader on the court,
taking the advice of assistant coach Vilet Ponce-de Leon that everyone could be
a leader.
Head coach Odjie Mamon lauded the
rookie’s performance, saying Rondina was the one playing with the most
ferocity.
But Rondina said there was nothing
extraordinary with the way she played, citing her experience in beach
volleyball.
After a breakout performance, the Tigresses, which sit at seventh place,
are focused on making a run for the Final Four in the second round which begins
after the Papal Visit slated on Jan. 15-19.
