PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan -- Recovering from costly errors in the second set, Davao City’s Khalia Sinsuat and April Joy Locaberte booked a seat to the semifinals after beating hometown bets in the Batang Pinoy 2019 National Championships beach volleyball competition at Blue Palawan beach resort amid drizzle and strong wind Thursday, August 29.
The Dabawenyas, coached by engineer D’ Artagnan “Daks” Yambao, eked out a 21-18, 22-20 win over Puerto Princesa.
They will be pitted against Pontevedra in Friday’s semifinals set at 7:30 a.m.
Sinsuat, 15, a grade nine student at the University of the Immaculate Conception (UIC), said, “Yes marami errors, mabigat kasi ang bola dahil sa bola.”
Davao City National High School (DCNHS) Grade 10 student Locaberte, 15, or her part, said, “Nawala first ball namin, nawala kami sa momentum.”
Both players were also heard cheering each other “Kaya nato (We can),” at times when they were trailing or when they commit unforced errors.
The two also paired during the Batang Pinoy 2019 Mindanao leg in Tagum City last February, going home with a silver medal. They kep
“We are very ready,” Locaberte and Sinsuat said in unison when asked about their semis match today, August 30.
The latter, who is on her first and last Batang Pinoy national stint, hopes they could bring home a medal for Davao City. “Mag-champion... may maiuwing medal,” she said.
Meanwhile, Davao’s beach volleyball boys team lost to Olongapo, 8-21, 18-21, while the indoor girls spikers absorbed their fourth straight loss after succumbing to Caloocan, 18-25, 20-25. (MLSA)