Player Profile Series: Sisi Rondina, Volleyball’s Cherry Bomb

To volleyball fans across the Philippines, the name “Cherry Bomb” ignites instant recognition and admiration. It is not just a nickname—it is a brand of power, resilience, and fire on the court.

The woman behind it is none other than Cherry Ann “Sisi” Rondina, the small but mighty spiker from Compostela, Cebu.

Born on September 4, 1996, Rondina has built a remarkable career in both indoor and beach volleyball, marked by sheer determination and an unmatched work ethic. Now 28, she stands as one of the country’s most accomplished volleyball players, with her journey inspiring a new generation of athletes.

Rondina’s sporting journey began not with volleyball, but with track and field, sprinting barefoot across the beach near her home. Her first real connection with volleyball came in third grade during a simple game with her mother. Coincidentally, a tryout was held the following day, and Rondina, driven by curiosity and natural athleticism, decided to attend.

From there, her path was set. She joined her high school’s varsity volleyball team and soon represented Central Visayas in multiple editions of the Palarong Pambansa, where she first gained national attention. In 2013, she earned the Palarong Pambansa Best Attacker individual award—an early sign of the powerhouse she would become.

Rondina was recruited to the University of Santo Tomas (UST), where she not only became a key player but eventually became the captain of the UST Golden Tigresses. Her time at UST was marked by dominance in both indoor and beach volleyball. 

She graduated in 2019 with a degree in Physical Education—the same year she also made history on the court.

• UAAP Season 81 (2019) – Most Valuable Player (Indoor)
• UAAP Season 81 (2019) – Athlete of the Year (Team Sports)
• 4-time UAAP Beach Volleyball MVP – 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018

Her collegiate career is widely regarded as one of the most decorated in UAAP volleyball history.

Rondina’s transition into professional volleyball was seamless. She has played for several premier clubs in the Philippines, continuing to rack up titles and accolades:

• Foton Tornadoes (2016)
• Petron Blaze Spikers (2017–2019)
• Creamline Beach Volleyball Team (2020–2021)
• Choco Mucho Flying Titans (2023–present)

Rondina has also showcased her skills on the international beach volleyball stage.

On December 11, 2022, she teamed up with Jovelyn Gonzaga to capture the gold medal at the FIVB Beach Volleyball Pro Tour (Future) in Subic Bay, Philippines, overcoming fellow Filipinas Dij Rodriguez and Genesa Eslapor in a thrilling match that ended 22–24, 21–12, 15–12.

She also helped bring home bronze medals in beach volleyball during the 2019 and 2021 Southeast Asian Games, and played a key role in the national team’s bronze finish at the 2024 Asian Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup.

Now a star for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, Rondina remains at the peak of her powers. In 2014, she was named the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) All-Filipino Conference First Best Outside Spiker, solidifying her status as one of the league’s top performers.

Her efforts were instrumental in Choco Mucho’s silver medal finishes at both the 2023 and 2024 PVL All-Filipino Conferences, and their bronze medal at the 2023 VTV International Women’s Volleyball Cup.

Sisi Rondina’s legacy is not just written in medals and MVP awards—it is inscribed in the hearts of every aspiring athlete who dares to dream big.

From sprinting across sandy shores in Cebu to commanding courts across Southeast Asia, her story is one of humble beginnings, bold ambition, and an undying love for the game.

Whether on the beach or on the hardwood, Rondina continues to embody the explosive energy of a Cherry Bomb—a true icon in Philippine sports.