December 19, 2025, Chonburi, Thailand – It was no easy feat for the Philippines as they climbed to the top of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games Women’s Beach Volleyball competition, after 2-0 card against hosts Thailand. Friday’s victory at Jomtien Beach allowed the Philippines to snap Thailand win streak, taking gold for each of the eight editions before Chonburi.
Rondina/Pons(PHI1) started strong with their 2-0 defeat (21-17, 21-15) of Worapeerachayakorn/Naraphornrapat (THA1). Rodriguez/Villapando (PHI2) needed the tie-break, 2-1 (21-13, 17-21, 15-6) against Udomchavee/Numwong (THA2).
Cherry Ann Rondina has been to the last five editions of the biennial meet and was extremely happy to finally get gold.
“I am grateful that we have a good support system: my teammates, our coaches, our staff, the management, sponsors, the fans. Just this morning, I saw a question posted on social media, asking if we could make history today. I replied ‘Definitely!’ and I am happy I wasn’t wrong,” Rondina said.
Meanwhile, Vietnam needed a Golden Match to dispute the bronze medal.
Desi/Nur Atika (INA1) took the first match, 2-0 (21–17, 21-11) against D.T.M. Nga/M.H. Hanh (VIE1). Later, Vietnam 2 C.N.Lan/N.L.T.T. Vy forced a Golden Match as they won 2-0 (21-11, 21-17) over Josephine/Bernadette Shella (INA2).
Ratnasari Desi and Sari Nur Atika (INA1) walked back to Center Court for one last match for the bronze, as they played against Chau Ngoc Lan and Nguyen Le Thi Tuong Vy (VIE2).
Vietnam knocked Indonesia out of the podium, taking 2-0 (21-16, 21-15) in the Golden Match.