Santa Rosa City: Filipino pair Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons played steadier in the third set to beat compatriots Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara, 21-17, 18-21, 15-12, Friday in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Futures Nuvali in Santa Rosa City, Laguna. Rondina and long-time partner Pons fought hard to overcome the tough UST duo under the scorching heat to register their first win in Pool A.

According to Philippines News Agency, Rondina and Pons, who previously won bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games in both 2019 and 2022, expressed their determination to give their best performance for the country. 'We go all out. We feel no pressure and we expect nothing, especially since we had very little time to prepare. We give our all to the best of our abilities, this is all for the country,' Pons stated. The duo has committed to rigorous training in beach volleyball, aiming for redemption in the upcoming SEA Games, with training sessions planned until December.

Meanwhile, in Pool B of the main draw, Filipinos Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa were defeated by Lithuania's Ieva Dumbauskaite and Gerda Gruzsinskaite, 17-21, 17-21. Despite this setback, Cordero and Epa had previously secured victories against Australians Charlotte Graham and Emma Hannagan, as well as Japan's Keiko Urata and Minami Asano, in the qualifying rounds. The event is organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation, headed by Ramon 'Tats' Suzara, who also serves as the Asian Volleyball Confederation president.

In the men's main draw, 2024 Beach Pro Tour silver medalist James Buytrago and Rancel Varga faced a tough match against Israel's Tamir Hershko and River Day, ultimately losing 21-23, 12-21 in Pool D. Additionally, Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino were defeated by Czechia's Tomas Semerad and Adam Miroslav Stocek, with scores of 13-21, 9-21 in Pool C.