Sunday, March 30, 2008 UV struts stuff, wins 2 in MLKP beach volley
DEFENDING champion University of the Visayas (UV) showed everyone the stuff that made them champions after posting two emphatic victories in the resumption of the second M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala All-Ladies Beach Volley Open yesterday at the Wiggy’s Beach Resort in Liloan, Cebu.
The UV tandem of Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Armie Igot, the defending champion of the MLSDF tilt and the current best of the country, gained semis berth after easily mangling newcomers Lorie Mae Layno and Jessa Satina of (Southwestern University) SWU Team B, 25-8, in their morning assignment and sailed through an easy 25-9 win over Heartvit’s Marissa Lagancia and Mechelle Matuguina.
Top of heap
UV is now on top of the bracket, relegating erstwhile undefeated SWU team to second place.
After the loss of their younger teammates, SWU’s prime team of Janelle Tabio and Florianne Gutierrez made up for it with an equally walk-in-the park win over University of San Carlos’ (USC) Jeremie Montalvo and Kimberly Ybañez, 25-9.
UV and SWU team A assured themselves seats to the semifinals as they are now top of their respective brackets with identical 5-0 win-loss slates. Both teams still have one game left each, which are scheduled today in the final day of the elimination round.
Both teams are hungry for a title as the two teams will be Cebu’s best bets in the hope to maintain Cebu’s bearing on top of the country’s beach volleyball hierarchy.
Goal
These two teams, along with eight others, hope to get slots to the Boracay national finals of the Nestea Beach Volleyball competition, as the regional qualifying is set to get underway next week in Bacolod City.
In other games, USC bounced back from its loss to SWU A and won over Aina Laroga and Joy Bonita of University of San Jose Recoletos, 25-21, while Cesafi champion team USJR A of former RP team members Michelle Simbajon and Genie Sabas keep their hopes for the title alive with a 25-14 win over University of Southern Philippines Foundation’s Ericka Verano and Herlene Ybarita.
USJR A had been side swept from the MLSDF limelight after losing their very first assignment in the competition, which was a day after they won the Cesafi title. It however, remains in contention for the semifinals as it is currently at second place with a 4-1 card. Also holding the same 4-1 ledger are Maritess Natad and Christine Bohol, who defeated MLKP’s Kenette Garces and Sarah Miculob, 25-11. (MCB)
