What unfolded in Sipalay over the weekend was more than just another stop in the Beach Volleyball Republic tour.
It became a celebration of how far beach volleyball has grown in the Philippines.
With fans crowding the shores of Poblacion Beach, national team stars and rising pairs delivered high-level matches that turned the BVR On Tour Sipalay Open into one of the liveliest events of the season.
At the center of it all was the Alas Pilipinas tandem of Sisi Rondina and Dij Rodriguez, who powered through a grueling women’s division en route to a perfect five-match sweep.
The pair survived a tough challenge from Kat Epa and Kizil Quijote in the finals, recovering from a first-set loss to pull off a 19-21, 21-13, 15-6 victory.
Before that, Rondina and Rodriguez also had to outlast fellow Southeast Asian Games gold medalists Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor in a hard-fought semifinal showdown.
For Rondina, the atmosphere in Sipalay stood out just as much as the title itself.
“Unti-unting nakikilala talaga ang beach volleyball sa Pilipinas. We are hoping na maraming liga na ganito. Hindi lang sa Sipalay, pati sa buong Pipinas,” said Rondina, who collected her sixth BVR On Tour title.
Rodriguez, meanwhile, secured her fourth tour championship.
The men’s division also produced a redemption story as Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales bounced back from an earlier elimination-round defeat to overcome Edwin Tolentino and Lerry Francisco in the finals, 21-23, 21-18, 15-7.
The victory gave Abdilla and Rosales their second BVR title together this year after also ruling the Nuvali Open in March.
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Team Visayas’ Sisi Rondina & Dij Rodriguez are your 2026 #BVRonTour Sipalay Open CHAMPIONS
They defeated NU 2 DutchBoy’s Kathrina Epa & Kizil Quijote, 19-21, 21-13, 15-6.
Congratulations
pic.twitter.com/h02GbgJ39J
— Hanyu 選手 𓆩
𓆪 ⸆⸉ (@mushroomzuru) May 10, 2026
Beyond the championship matches, the tournament also highlighted returning and emerging partnerships.
The Capital1 Solar Spikers duo of Pauline Gaston and Roma Mae Doromal impressed despite an early exit, earning praise after pushing veteran pair Bea Tan and Fille Cayetano in a competitive straight-set battle.
“Actually we are very grateful sa experience na maglaro kami together. Nakakasabay kami sa level ng competition. Binigyan din namin ng magandang fight ang kalaban,” Doromal said.
“Ang dami-dami naming natutunan and we are so excited for more BVR appearances,” she added.
Gaston also credited Doromal’s leadership throughout their campaign.
“Nakakapag-in game adjustment kami, which is I’m so proud naman. In game kami magde-decide na magba-block ako Roms (Doromal), anong gagawin naming defensive patterns. Yung mga strategies namin, nailabas which is I’m proud kasi. Siya (Doromal) ang nagiging coach ko, siya yung nagle-lead sa akin. I’m happy and that’s why she’s the Capital1 team captain, I let her lead and I trust her,” Gaston said.
Even in defeat, Doromal appreciated the chance to share the sand with players they once only looked up to.
“It’s a privilege talaga to play against them kasi mga idols po namin, nilu-look up po namin. I’m happy na nasa same court kami,” she said.
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