MANILA, Philippines — Bernadeth Pons is working slowly but surely back to her peak on the sands as she and longtime partner Sisi Rondina eye a medal run in the Southeast Asian Games later this year in Thailand.

Fresh off a standout Premier Volleyball League campaign that saw her capture a championship and the Reinforced Conference MVP award, Pons has resumed full-time beach volleyball training with Rondina, her fellow Alas Pilipinas teammate.

READ: Rondina, Pons rule PNVF Beach Volleyball National Open

“I’m really happy that we’re back together. I’m excited for what we’ll show at the SEA Games because we both know how much we want to win it again,” Pons told reporters after receiving the Best Outside Spiker award at the Pilipinas PVL Press Corps Awards Night on Wednesday at Novotel.

Pons and Rondina recently swept the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Beach Volleyball National Open, but the veteran duo knows they still have room to improve.

Choco Mucho Flying Titans’ Sisi Rondina during the PVL Press Corps Awards Night. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“We’re not quite back in top form yet. We’ve only been training on the sand for about a month, and we were out for almost two years. So there’s still a lot we need to improve on before the SEA Games,” said Pons, who won bronze medals with Rondina at the 2019 and 2022 SEA Games.

“Since Sisi and I have played together for a long time, our chemistry is still there, so that part was easy. But the switch from indoor to sand isn’t that simple—it’s something we’re working on every day,” she added.

READ: Bernadeth Pons reunites with Sisi Rondina for beach volley return

Now bringing with her the confidence and mentality sharpened with the Creamline Cool Smashers, Pons is embracing the challenge of representing the Philippines in the sand once again.

“One big thing I’ve carried from Creamline is the team’s good vibes mantra. Training in the heat is exhausting, so it’s important that we enjoy every session,” she said.

“Also, the winning mindset that Creamline has—that’s something I’m bringing with me to beach volleyball. You need that kind of mentality going into every game.”