UV, SWU belles triumph USJ-R, Hiroshi also off to rousing starts in M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala beach volleyball

The Cebu Diesel Supply-backed University of the Visayas (UV) and Southwestern University (SWU) got off to the best possible start they could in the 1st M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala All Ladies Beach Volleyball Invitational yesterday at the Wiggy's Beach Resort in Lilo-an, Cebu.

Janiz Ygot and 2005 GUV Cup MVP Josabelle Brillo powered UV of coach Raffy Briones to victory over the Verano sisters Ericka and Yvonne of the Crunchiken-University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) in straight sets, 21-18, 21-11.

It was a sorry loss for USP as it led by three in the first set, 16-13. The Verano sisters, however, committed three successive service errors, allowing UV to wrap up the match using a 7-2 run.

In the second frame, the Verano sisters again set the early pace, 5-3, but UV countered with a sizzling 15-2 rally to rip the game apart, 17-7.

Earlier, SWU's Janelle Tabio and Marites Natad looked very sharp in sweeping the Exas tandem of Aina Laroga and Kennette Garces, 21-17, 21-13.

Laroga and Garces put up a gallant stand for most of the way in the two-set battle, but was rebuffed by SWU's strong endgame finish.

In the other games, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) of Julett Mae Marikit and Genie Sabas and Hiroshi of Leizel Manatad and Florianne Gutierrez also kick-started their respective championship bids in rousing fashion.

The Grace Antigua-mentored USJ-R bested the tough-fighting X-Panthers duo of Marissa Lagancia and Elen Pongase, 23-21, 21-13, while Hiroshi, inspired by the presence of its backer Harou Iwanaga, slammed Jhessa Satina and Shara Bulac of Mark K, 21-9, 21-7.

Marikit and Sabas had to deal with Lagancia and Pongase's spirited resistance as they went through a slide before taking the opening set, 23-21. Marikit and Sabas then finished off their foes with authority in the second set, 21-13.

Action resumes at 8:30 am today in the two-weekend tournament organized by the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) through the initiative of its executive director Eddie B. Ybañez and made possible by M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala, ML Pamilya Insurance Plans, M. Lhuillier Pawnshops, Bodytone and Nature's Spring.