For University of Santo Tomas volleyball superstar Sisi Rondina, it’s time for her to move on to another level in her career and life.
Seeing action in the FIVB World Tour Boracay Open 2019 will be her next focus.
Rondina and Ateneo swimming standout Jessie Khing Lacuna were named Athletes of the Year Tuesday evening during the closing ceremonies of 81st University Athletic Association of the Philippines at the Mall of Asia Arena.
“For now, it’s the tournament in Boracay. Hindi ko muna masyadong iniisip ang future. Kung ano ang mga opportunities na nandiyan, grab muna,” said the 22-year-old Rondina.
The 5’6” Rondina, who got the top honors in the team sports category, helped give the Tigresses a third straight beach volleyball crown and fourth overall in five years.
Rondina also took her fourth season MVP award.
She also provided leadership for UST as it settled for a runner-up finish in the women’s volleyball tournament, where she took the season MVP honors as well.
“I’m slowly adjusting to where I am now, because I am no longer in college. I am now in the real world,” she added.
Rondina is set to see action in Boracay with new teammate Bernadette Pons this weekend.
Lacuna snared the Athlete of the Year award in the team sports category for his feats with swimming for Ateneo.
It was the second time that Lacuna was feted since 2016, when he shared the league’s highest award with the late Ian Lariba of De La Salle table tennis, Alyssa Valdez of Ateneo women’s volleyball and Queeny Sabobo of Adamson softball.
Lacuna, an Olympian, ended his checkered career in the pool with 35 gold medals.
Among the athlete-scholars who were honored were Jed Colonia of Adamson University men’s basketball, Reagan Gavino of Ateneo women’s swimming, Jam Arribas of De La Salle softball, Josefa Ligmayo of Far Eastern University women’s athletics, Jack Danielle Animam of National University women’s basketball, Allaine Cortey of University of the East women’s fencing, Mae Bernal of UST fencing and Nikki Oliva of University of the Philippines women’s taekwondo receiving honors.
UST student-athletes were also honored for taking the overall championship for a third straight season after amassing 282 points in the senior division at the close of the season.
In the juniors’ division, the Tiger Cubs ruled for the 19th time to complete the general championship sweep for a third straight season as well.
