Rondina, Pons win Fans’ Choice Award at first AVC Gala

Alas Pilipinas beach volleyball stars Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons are set to be honored on the continental stage after capturing the Fans’ Choice Beach Volleyball Award at the inaugural Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Gala.

The Filipino duo topped the online fan poll with 43,905 votes, securing the distinction and earning a formal recognition at the AVC Gala scheduled for August 8 in Bangkok. The award will be presented by the City of Candon through Mayor Eric Singson.

The first-ever gala night will celebrate athletes, coaches, officials, and key figures who made a significant impact on Asian volleyball during the 2025 season.

AVC President Ramon “Tats” Suzara said the event was created to honor excellence in the sport while recognizing the passion of volleyball fans across Asia.

“The AVC Gala was created to celebrate Asian volleyball excellence and to honor the individuals whose talent, dedication, and achievements continue to inspire millions throughout our continent,” Suzara said.

He noted that nearly 400,000 votes were cast across categories, underscoring the strong fan engagement in the region.

“We are excited to welcome our winners to the 1st AVC Gala Awards Night this August in Bangkok, where Asia’s volleyball family will come together to celebrate their remarkable achievements and the continued growth of our sport,” he added.

“Volleyball has always been a sport driven by its community, and our fans remain at the heart of its continued success. By combining the expertise of the AVC Committee with the voices of our supporters, the AVC Gala not only recognizes excellence but also celebrates the strong bond between our athletes and the fans who inspire them every step of the way.”

Rondina and Pons headline a star-studded list of awardees from across Asia.

Japan men’s captain Yuki Ishikawa will be honored as Outstanding Men’s Volleyball Player, while his sister Mayu Ishikawa takes the Outstanding Women’s Volleyball Player award after another strong international season.

In beach volleyball, Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan will be recognized as Outstanding Men’s Beach Volleyball Players, while Japan’s Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami will receive the equivalent women’s honor.

Japan women’s head coach Ferhat Akbaş has been named Volleyball Coach of the Year after guiding his team through another successful campaign. Kazakhstan’s Yuliya Akulova and China’s Wang Lijun will also be honored as Referee of the Year in volleyball and beach volleyball, respectively.

Major awards such as Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and Referee of the Year were decided through a 70-percent AVC Committee vote and 30-percent fan vote.

Meanwhile, Chinese star Zhu Ting won the overall Fans’ Choice Volleyball Award after leading all nominees with 42,996 votes.

The gala will also feature a Lifetime Achievement Award for Jizhong Wei in recognition of his decades of contribution to the development of volleyball in Asia.