Exact vengeance on SWU’s Tabio and Gutierrez to win first San Remigio beach volley

SAN REMIGIO – The University of the Visayas (UV) charged back from a first-set debacle brimming with confidence to exact vengeance at Southwestern University (SWU) in a three-set thriller and capture the first ever championship of the San Remigio Beach Volley Open yesterday.

Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Armie Ygot crumbled in the opening session, 21-17, but the big-hearted UV belles did not wilt under pressure. Instead, they mounted a courageous fightback that left the spectators holding on their breath until the final outcome was decided.

Conjuring all the strength they could muster, Brillo and Ygot fended off SWU’s equally-tough tandem of Janelle Tabio and Florianne Gutierrez in the second set, 21-18, to forge a rubbermatch.

In the decider, the contending squads figured in a battle as intense as the sweltering heat of the summer sun. When the dust settled, Brillo and Ygot came out spraying the victory champagne with a 15-12 disposition of Tabio and Gutierrez, the reigning Nestea Beach Volley champs.

“My players were not only in top condition, but were also very determined to win. I’m very happy that they fought hard for the chammpionship. They really deserved it,” said an ecstatic UV coach Raffy Briones.

Briones also felt some sort of sweet redemption for his wards, who were dethroned by the very same foes in the Nest Beach Volley Season 12 last month in Boracay Island.

“At least, they immediately bounced back from that defeat,” said Briones. “I’m so thankful to Sir Didi Gullas for his unwavering support to us that is a great morale booster for the players.”

Brillo and Ygot pocketed P7,000, while Tabio and Gutierrez went home with P5,000.

In the battle for third, Erika Camille Verano and Danika Yolanda Gendrauli of the Jordan Paca-mentored University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) prevailed over the veteran Volleybelles duo of Kennette Garces and Marissa Lagancia, 25-17.

Verano and Gendrauli claimed P3,000, while Garces and Lagancia received P1,000. The rest of the participants each got a consolation prize of P500.

Staged as part of the town’s “Lapyahan Festival,” the two-day beach volley action was presented by the municipal government of San Remigio under the flagship of Mayor Mar Martinez in association with the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) and the Governor Gwen Garcia Unity Volleyball (GUV) Cup.   – with Marigold P. Lebumfacil