IT WAS not the ending she had hoped for, but Most Valuable Player (MVP) Cherry Ann Rondina has only gratitude for UST’s runner-up finish in the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament this year.
The 5’6” Cebuana, known for her grit and vicious spikes, capped off her five-year stint in the Golden Tigresses as the league’s Athlete of the Year in the team sports category.
Rondina garnered four UAAP titles, including the MVP plum in the beach volleyball tournament.
But her final outing for the Tigresses ended in poor fashion with UST bowing down to Ateneo de Manila’s Lady Eagles, sweeping all three sets of Game 3 last May 18.
Despite falling short of her promised championship, Rondina said this season was a keeper, having brought UST back to the finals for the first time since 2011.
“Kahit na ‘di pinalad sa big trophy, still, nakaabot kami rito sa finals and nabigyan pa ako ng mga awards and recognitions na nagpa-worth it sa lahat ng pagod,” she told the Varsitarian.
Looking back at her legendary run, the sports and wellness management senior has nothing but pride and gratitude in donning the black, gold and white from the beginning.
“Sa limang taon na ups and downs ko, UST lang ang naka-solve. Sa lahat ng magandang nangyayari sa buhay ko ngayon, UST ang dahilan,” she said. “Mami-miss ko yung ganito kasi niyakap ko talaga ang UST. Sobrang minahal ko na talaga for five years.”
Head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes Jr. lauded the graduating team captain and the rest of the Golden Tigresses for reviving the Thomasian spirit and uniting the UST community.
“Grabe ‘yong determination ng mga bata, lalo na si Sisi,hanggang sa inabot namin ang finals,” Reyes told the Varsitarian. “Pinilit naming maging successful pa para makuha ang championship, pero hindi na umabot e. Pero ‘yong pusong pinakita niya,Thomasian na Thomasian.”
For now, Rondina is bound for Boracay to team up with former Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraw Bernadeth Pons to fight for the country in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour starting May 23 at the White House Beach Station 1.
After the tournament, she said she has plans to pursue a master’s degree at the University to become a physical education professor.
Rondina also reminded the Tigresses to go all out for UST next season.
“’Wag lang nilang sukuan ang gusto nila kasi, hindi mo mahahanap ang gusto mo sa isang try lang. Ako kasi, try lang nangtry, hanggang makuha ko. Kinapos lang kami pero alam ko babawi sila next year.”
