MOALBOAL – Five Cebu teams led by the University of the Visayas (UV) and Southwestern University (SWU) breezed through the semifinal round of the 15th Nestea Beach Volley-Visayas leg yesterday at the HK Resort here.
In the men's category, UV's mighty tandem of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria consummated a three-game elimination round sweep following a hard-earned 21-18, 24-22 victory over Jason Uy and Jade Illut of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).
Despite its setback, USJ-R still proceeded into the next phase of the three-day event after edging out Edward Ybañez and Christopher Ryan Abut of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 21-14, 21-18.
University of St. La Salle-Bacolod’s Roelene Inaudito and Kerwin Reje also advanced after whipping Kennith Bensig and Bon Vincent Estrera of the University of San Carlos (USC), 21-12, 21-15.
USC's pair though stayed alive after it blasted off Giovanni Gutierrez and Jason Panangin of the University of Cebu (UC), 21-19, 21-16.
In the distaff side, Danika Yolanda Gendrauli and Lorie May Layno of SWU offsetted its heart-breaking defeat to defending champion Central Philippines University (CPU) with back-to-back wins to book a ticket into the last four. They overpowered Abegail Praca and Regin Obinque of USJ-R, 21-14, 21-11 before fending off Apple Eve Saraum and Rochelle Rica of USPF, 21-15, 21-5.
“It was really a tough day for us because we are in a must-win situation in all our games,” said Gendrauli. We would be happier if we will make it to the top three tomorrow (today).
On the other hand, Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiola Mae Ceballos of CPU-Iloilo bolstered its title retention bid after scoring a clean 3-0 sweep in the qualifying stage capped by a 21-13, 21-10 demolition of USPF.
Sheryl June Denila and Patty Jane Orendain of USLS-Bacolod and Chona Gesulga and Suzette Panis of USC completed the semifinal cast in the women's division.
Denila and Orendain spanked Analie Cañete and Mary Ann Litub of Bohol Institute of Technology (BIT), 21-11, 21-12, while Gesulga and Panis clobbered Sarah Mae Basarte and Kimberly Ann Golosino of the University of Bohol (UB), 21-3, 21-10 and Analie Cañete and Mary Ann Litub of the Bohol Institute of Technology (BIT), 21-10, 21-7.
The top three winnens in each division, which will be known today, will proceed into the National Finals set from April 19 to 21 in Boracay Island. The champions will pocket P100,000 each. (FREEMAN)