A RESOLUTION has been filed in the Senate recognizing the Alas Pilipinas women’s beach volleyball team for winning the country’s first-ever gold medal in the sport at the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held in Thailand.
In Senate Resolution No. 249, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada hailed the milestone victory as a breakthrough moment for Philippine sports, noting that the team not only delivered the nation’s maiden SEA Games gold in women’s beach volleyball but also ended Thailand’s 22-year reign in the event since its introduction in 2003.
“This historic win shows what Filipino athletes can achieve with determination, teamwork, and heart. Alas Pilipinas proved that grit and unity can overcome even the most dominant opponents on their home court,” Estrada said.
Composed of Cherry Ann Rondina, Bernadeth Pons, Floremel Rodriguez, Sunnie Kalani Villapando, and Genesa Jane Eslapor, the national team posted a near-flawless run in the tournament, defeating Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam in the preliminary rounds before claiming momentum in the finals.
In the gold medal match held at Jomtien Beach in Chonburi, Alas Pilipinas swept eight-time champion and host Thailand, 2–0. The duo of Rondina and Pons dominated the opening sets, followed by Rodriguez and Villapando, who sealed the championship with a decisive final set —securing a historic victory for Team Philippines.
The triumph marked the country’s best-ever performance in women’s beach volleyball at the SEA Games, surpassing previous bronze finishes in the 2005, 2019, and 2021 editions, while also boosting the Philippines’ overall medal standing in the biennial regional meet.
According to Estrada, the team’s success reflects the resilience, fighting spirit, and excellence of Filipino athletes on the international stage and deserves the highest recognition from the Senate.
“Their victory will inspire future generations of athletes and elevate Philippine sports to even greater heights,” he said.