(UPDATE) CEBU CITY — Cebuana volleyball stars and Alas Pilipinas national team members Thea Gagate and Sisi Rondina are here not only to grace the 2024 Palarong Pambansa but also to receive a citation from the provincial government of Cebu.

The two volleyball superstars were seen at the University of San Jose-Recoletos Basak Pardo Campus on Thursday, supporting some volleyball matches at the ongoing Palarong Pambansa.

Several spectators, as well as competing student athletes and coaching staff, recognized them and immediately asked for photo opportunities.

The two also gave speeches before the audience.

In the afternoon, Gagate and Rondina visited the Provincial Capitol where Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia presented them with a framed resolution passed by the Provincial Board, congratulating them for their achievements as members of the national team.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon Suzara and Sixth District Board Member Glenn Soco, who authored the resolution, joined them.

The Provincial Board acknowledged the Cebuanas' contributions to the Philippine volleyball team, which recently secured a historic bronze medal in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Cup 2024 by defeating Australia on May 29, 2024.

Rondina, a University of Santo Tomas graduate, has transitioned to professional volleyball and currently plays for the Choco Mucho Flying Titans. Gagate, a former Lady Spiker from De La Salle University, committed to the national team immediately after her graduation.

Soco highlighted Rondina's roots, noting that she once played in the Capitol's grassroots-based provincewide tournament, the Gov. Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball Cup, representing her hometown of Compostela before rising to national prominence.

Additionally, Suzara expressed gratitude to the Capitol for the recognition and presented tokens, including Alas Pilipinas T-shirts and a PNVF plaque, to Garcia and Soco.

The governor, meanwhile, praised the Cebuana athletes for bringing pride to the country amid the political climate leading up to the midterm elections.

"If we cannot unite politically, at least we unite in volleyball," she said.

Rondina, Gagate, and the rest of Alas Pilipinas are currently preparing for the Southeast Asian Volleyball League, scheduled to take place in Vietnam from August 2 to 4. The league will feature teams from Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia.

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