THE defending champion Philippine National Police (PNP) Lady Patrollers opened their campaign with two straight wins in the women's division at the start of the 2016 Davao City Summer Fest Invitational Open Beach Volleyball held at the Felis Resort Complex in Matina Aplaya, Davao City, on Sunday morning, June 12.
In their first game, the Karen Kay Quilaro and Lourdelyn Catubag-bannered Lady Patrollers outlasted power duo Takako Fujimoto and Keanna Adlao of the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) Jr., 21-3.
The Lady Patrollers also toppled the tandem of Janice Arnaiz and Lyka Malikol of the Davao City Water District (DCWD), 21-7, in their second game.
Quilario, for her part, hopes that they can defend their title despite numerous strong contenders who joined in this year's beach volley competition.
"Hopefully, madami kasing malalakas na kalaban this year, nandyan ang Davao Optima, at Philhealth," Quilario told Sun.Star Davao in an interview at the sidelines of the competition.
Catubag, for her part, said "Mag pa-practice lang kami ng mag pa-practice."
Other results in the women's division, Philhealth bested ADDU Sr., 21-4; Davao City Water District (DCWD) scored a bounce back win over Davao Optima, 21-12, University of Immaculate Concepcion (UIC) dominated Gensan Tuna, 21-10, University of Mindanao (UM) Tagum stamped Ace, 21-16, AdDU Junior whipped Cascabel, 21-12, Ace won over Gensan Tuna 21-9, UM Tagum trounced UIC 21-11, and Davao Optima beat Cascabel 21-16.
Meanwhile, teams entered at the men's division are still playing as of this writing.
The beach volleyball invitational tournament is sponsored by the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor’s Office, Davao Volleyball Association, and Philippine Volleyball Federation.