Brillo rules beach tilt

FORMER national beach volleyball team player Jusabelle Brillo bagged the first Queen of the Beach title during last Sunday’s finals at the Fort San Pedro sand court.

Brillo, who is helping the University of Visayas(UV) in forming a women’s team, said she didn’t expect to win the title.

“I finished fourth during the elimination round and I was up against several veteran players. Ako lang ato was to enjoy the experience, especially since I was paired with different partners,” Brillo said.

First-day leader Suzette Panis of University of San Carlos was not able to retain her position and dropped to seventh place.

Brillo played in all eight games in the finals and scored a total of 168 points. She was eight points ahead of Erika Verano, who settled for second place. Danika Gendrauli had 148 points for third place, while Rapril Aguilar was fourth with 144. The rest of the top eight were Rica Jane Rivera (139), and Therese Ramas (138). Panis was tied for last with Ivy Abella at 135 points.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) beach volleyball consultant Eric Lecain said he was surprised to see new players who were very competitive in their first beach volleyball tournament.

“I see so much potential in Rivera, she is still in high school but she passes well. She has deep roll shots and good ball control,” Lecain said.

Rivera, 15, is just a second year high school student of University of Cebu and is an indoor volleyball regular.

“This is my first time to play beach volleyball, I was happy that I was able to make the cut since I was up against veteran players. It was a good experience,” Rivera said.

Ramas, another secondary student indoor volleyball player, said she finds beach volleyball more challenging.

“Being a beach volleyball player, you have to be very versatile,” said Ramas, who was the open spiker for the Southwestern University team that finished second in the Shakeys Tournament of Champions.

SWU coach Dave Arreza said they are starting to train Ramas as one of their future beach volleyball players because of her versatility.

“I was very happy with the tournament. It was so great seeing older players play with the younger ones,” said Lecain, who added he will organize another one for the junior players this month.