Three-peat-seeking UV duo gets past two foes in Cesafi beach volleyball tournament

The spikers of the University of the Visayas got off to a rousing start in their bid for a third straight title in the men’s competition of the beach volleyball tournament in the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) as they logged in two wins yesterday at the Southwestern University sand court.

The mettle of the pair of Nestea beach volley national champions Mike Abria and Mark Fernandez were tested early as they faced the gritty Southwestern University tandem of Jason Manangil and Relan Tanco.

UV was pushed to the hilt in the first set but managed to escape with the win, 25-23. The reigning champs then got their acts together and finished off their opponents, 21-16.

UV’s second match later in the day also proved to be a tough one but it also got the upper hand against the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, 21-13, 21-13.

The indoor volleyball champion University of San Carlos also emerged victorious in its first match as Mark Abut and Clyde Flores won over Jason Managil and Louie Espina of the University of Cebu, 21-16, 21-12.

The University of San Jose-Recoletos duo of Owen Belen and Jade Illiut defeated the Cebu Institute of Technology-University’s Jaymarc Ragasajo and Nichol Ruelo, 21-10, 21-13.

In the distaff side, it was so far and so good for SWU’s campaign for a three-peat as Danika Gendrauli and Rapril Aguilar trounced UC’s Stephanie Morales and Joelyn Suqub, 21-5, 21-8.

But the leader of the pack early on was USC as Anna Capinpin and Chona Gesulga defeated Rochelle Rica and Apple Saraum of USPF, 21-18, 21-13. They also beat USJ-R’s Abigail Praca and Kaisse delos Santos, 21-13, 21-12. Later in the day, USPF bounced back and beat UC, 21-10, 21-13.