Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball has gone all in for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok. The squad shifted focus immediately after its stint in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge. The experience against top international pairs sharpened their game.

Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons led the charge. They made history as the first Philippine pair — men or women — to win a match in the Challenge and reach the round of 24. That result gave the team confidence heading into the SEA Games on December 12 to 19 at the Huamark Sports Complex.

“ We’re all happy that we were able to participate in the Challenge, although it was a short campaign for us, we learned a lot from every match that we can apply in SEA Games,” Pons said. She added practical goals. “We must continue training hard, we must be consistent in our timing, attacks, receives and blocking. Good thing we were able to play against competitive teams in the Challenge.”

Coach Joao “Kioday” Luciano Simao Barbosa has named the candidate pairs for selection. For the women, the contenders are Rondina-Pons, Sunny Villapando-Dij Rodriguez, Jenny Gaviola-Alexa Polidario, and Kly Orillaneda-Gen Eslapor. For the men, candidates include James Buytrago-Ran Abdilla, Ronniel Rosales-Rancel Vergara, and Edwin Tolentino-Larry John Francisco. Each nation can field two teams per gender, so selection will be sharp.

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Alas Pilipinas manager Cherry Macatangay confirmed a full-time camp. All six pairs will train at the Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa. The centralized setup aims to fine-tune details and build cohesion with 55 days left before the Games. “We’re ready anytime if chosen for the SEA Games,” Gaviola said, noting the team will use camp time to make adjustments.

Thailand and Indonesia still dominate regional beach volleyball. Each country owns eight golds across men’s and women’s events at the SEA Games. The Philippines, by contrast, owns six bronze medals — three apiece since beach volleyball became a medal sport in 2003. Nonetheless, the recent international exposure and a focused camp give Alas Pilipinas a stronger platform heading into December.