The spikers of the University of the Visayas (UV) once again solidified Cebu’s reputation as the country’s hotbed for beach volleyball talent as they captured the coveted men’s title of the 15th Nestea Beach Volleyball 2012 in Boracay Island yesterday.
UV’s Mike Abria and Jade Becaldo defeated fellow Cebuano squad University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) in the finals, 21-19, 21-16.
While it was the UV spikers of head coach Raffy Briones and head trainer Jason Gabales that stole the spotlight, the Queen City of the South was ultimately the clear winner as it added another championship to its long list of titles in the Nestea circuit.
The title was Briones’ second after his women’s squad, composed of Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Ygot, won the women’s crown in 2007.
USJ-R was also looking for another championship after their 2009 run, which was led by Ariel Carumba and Louijie Tipgos.
The two teams set up the all-Cebu showdown after they downed their respective opponents in the semifinals yesterday morning.
UV went through the wringer before beating Mindanao leg champions University of Mindanao-Tagum’s Daryl Lapiz and Jefty Amora, 21-17, 16-21, 15-8.
On the other hand, USJ-R ousted the NCR champions, Arellano University’s John Lozada and Chris Salvador, 21-17, 21-14.
On the distaff side, the Central Philippines University pair of Jovely Gonzaga and Fiola Ceballos made it two in a row after they blasted UMT’s Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Quilario, 21-13, 21-17, in the finals.
They entered the finals after eking past the University of Sto. Tomas in the semifinals, 22-20, 21-17. UMT, meanwhile, defeated Adamson University, 23-21, 21-18.