Alas Pilipinas Beach wins the gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. POC Media
(UPDATED) The Philippines has claimed its first-ever beach volleyball gold in the Southeast Asian Games as Alas Pilipinas stunned Thailand in the finale on Friday at the Jomtien Beach in Chonburi province, Thailand.
The Alas Beach teams had a strong showing against the eight-time champions, as Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons shocked Kongphopsarutawadee Worapeerachayakorn and Taravadee Naraphornrapat (21-17, 21-15) in the first match, and Dij Rodriguez and Sunny Villapando also shocked Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numwong (21-13, 17-21, 15-6).
This marked the Thais' end as queens of the sand, who reigned for 22 long years, ruling all of the eight tournaments to which the women's beach volleyball tourney was staged.
READ: SEAG: Philippines reaches first-ever women's beach volleyball finals
"Sobrang saya, lalong lalo na sa amin ni Pons," expressed Rondina. "Sobrang grateful, kasi may mga kasama kami, may mga teammates, mga coaches, management kami na alam naming nagtitiwala talaga sa amin."
READ: 'SiPons', Alas beach volley teams shift focus to SEA Games
"Ako, sobrang grateful ko lang din talaga kay Lord, kasi minanifest ko talaga itong gold namin. Ilang beses ko rin na-imagine 'yung moment na ganito—minsan naluluha na lang ako bigla kasi nai-imagine ko 'yung moment na 'to," said Pons.
The duo of "SiPons" paved the way to an impressive 1-0 start for the Philippines, as the PVL stars made quick work of the hometown bets, taking the first match.
The pair of Rodriguez and Villapando faced resistance, as the Thais stole the second set in match two after a 6-1 run from the 16-15 count, when Alas Women actually led.
However, they remained composed as they cruised their way to the gold medal, following a 15-6 triumph in the final period.
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