The reigning women’s champions Central Philippines University, a team composed of RP team member Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiola Ceballos, played just one game yesterday and turned it into a clinic.
The duo routed the University of Southern Philippines Foundation pair of former national champion Apple Saraum and Rochelle Rica, 21-13, 21-10 in yesterday’s penultimate day of the Visayas eliminations of the 15th Nestea Beach Volley at the HK Beach Resort in Brgy. Saavedra, Moalboal.
Many-time national titlists Southwestern University also bounced back into contention following their bitter three-set loss to CPU last Friday by winning two matches yesterday. Lori Mae Layno and Danika Gendraule first ousted the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in three tense sets, 21-16, 18-21 15-11.
The Lady Cobras of head coach Jason Gabales looked headed for an easy decider after winning six straight points. But the UNO-R tandem of Ruby Casipe and Jennifer Cosas swept the next eight points to grab an 8-6 edge. The Cebuanas however, unloaded a 9-3 bomb to win by four.
Later in the day, SWU eliminated the University of San Jose-Recoletos, a win that was highlighted by an unbelievable run of points by Gendraule in the second set.
After winning the opener, 21-14, SWU encountered some tough resistance from USJ-R’s Regine Obinque and Abigail Praca who crawled to within two, 11-13, after trailing, 2-10. But Gendraule scored seven of the last eight SWU points, five off service aces that pushed them to the 21-11 win.
USJ-R got that far into the draw by beating Foundation University, 21-16, 21-11.
In other women’s matches, the University of San Carlos’s Chona Gesulga and Suzette Panes stayed alive after crushing Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, 21-8, 21-8, to make up for their 17-21, 16-21 loss to the University of St. La Salle’s Patty Orendain and Sheryl Denila earlier in the day.
MEN’S SIDE
Over in the men’s side, a new national champ will be crowned in Boracay next month after FU’s John Acain and Glen Ventolero lost to USPF’s Edward Ybanez and Christopher Abut, 21-15, 21-6. However, USPF would also bid goodbye to their hopes of reaching the nationals after they were blindsided by the gritty USJ-R tandem of Jason Uy and Jade Illut, 21-14, 21-18.
For a moment, it appeared as if USPF would force a rubbermatch after leading, 16-12 in the second set. But USJ-R persevered and tied the game at 18-all. A picture-perfect drop shot and a booming spike down the line by Uy followed by a joust at the net won by Illut gave the Spiking Jaguars of head coach Grace Antigua the set and the match.
Another Cebu team that got ousted was the University of Cebu manned by Giovanni Gutierrez and Jason Panangin who lost to the University of San Carlos duo of Bon Estrera and Kennith Bensig, 21-19, 21-16. Earlier, UC defeated CPU’s Hans Yu and Kenny Amar, 21-12, 21-16.
Meanwhile, title-favorites University of the Visayas, composed of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria, inched closer to the nationals finals after beating USJ-R, 21-18, 24-22.
Only the top three finishers in this tournament will advance to the Boracay finals slated on April 19-21. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio