NAGOYA-Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons bounced back and together with the Khylem Harl Progella-Sofiah Shanine Pagara tandem, the Philippines scored twin victories in women’s beach volleyball in the Aichi-Nagoya 20th Asian Games on Monday.
Rondina and Pons secured a spot in the quarterfinals after beating Japan’s Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame, 21-17, 21-15, and so did Progella and Pagara against N.L. Tsang and M.C. Wong, 26-24, 21-18, at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.
‘We put things in the right place and we were able to perform the best we can,’ Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball Brazilian coach Joao Kyodai said.
Rondina and Pons admitted they were determined to put their opening-day loss to Kazakhstan behind them.
‘That loss made us feel stronger and more determined to get the win,’ said Rondina, adding ‘but we have to stay focused in the round of 16 and play better, execute game plans to the end.’
Pons called the pool-stage setback to the Kazakhs a ‘wake-up call,’ saying the pair remained optimistic.
‘Sometimes our biggest opponent is not on the opposite side of the court but what’s inside our minds,’ Pons said. ‘And that’s what we want to beat.’
Pagara, on the other hand, said they have to add more confidence to their game plan.
‘The skills are there, but we need to trust ourselves more,’ she said.
Progella and Pagara also thanked their teammates and fans who came to watch them compete.
‘The cheers, the shouts, they’re all motivation to us,’ Progella said. ‘Hearing ‘Laban Pilipinas!’ from the stands makes us strong.’
After Tuesday’s break, Progella and Pagara square off with Japanese sisters Non and Ren Matsumoto and Pons and Rondilla take on Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee both at 8 a.m. (Manila time) on Wednesday.