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Sunny Villapando shines in SEA Games debut with beach volley gold
The Philippines' Alas Pilipinas women's team has won their first-ever Southeast Asian (SEA) Games beach volleyball gold medal, dethroning the defending champions Thailand.
Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons secured a 21-17, 21-15 victory against Kongphopsarutawadee Worapeerachayakorn and Taravadee Naraphornrapat in their match.
Dij Rodriguez and Sunny Villapando won their match with scores of 21-13, 17-21, 15-6 against Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numwong, with Villapando hitting the game-winning attack.
This victory marks the country's first beach volleyball gold medal in the SEA Games since the sport was introduced in 2003, ending an eight-edition reign by Thailand.
Villapando, the newest member of the quartet, shone bright in her SEA Games debut, finding the moment fulfilling as she made history for Team Philippines.
The Philippines had previously won bronze medals in the women's event in 2019 and 2022.
Rondina stated that consistency was key to their success.
The team defied expectations after their only preliminary loss to Thailand.
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