6 Cebu teams off to Boracay UV bags men's title in Nestea Beach Volley Vis-Min elims

MOALBOAL, CEBU, Philippines — The University of the Visayas(UV), manned by defending men's national champion Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria, will lead five other Cebu teams that booked tickets to the national finals of the 16th Nestea Beach Volley set next month in the paradise Boracay Island.

This after Becaldo and Abria topped the men's division of the combined Visayas-Mindanao regional eliminations, whipping the Mindanao State University (MSU)-Tawi-Tawi, 21-15, 21-15 in the finals yesterday at Bas Daku here.

Before snatching the crown deprived of them last year, Becaldo and Abria had to overcome a spirited challenge by fellow Cebuano players Romel Pepito and Relan Taneo from Southwestern University (SWU) before eking out a 21-18, 26-28, 15-10 victory in the quartefinal round.

Becaldo and Abria then tamed Jade Ilut and Jason Uy, 21-17, 21-17, to set up a titular  showdown with the promising spikers from Tawi-Tawi, which they readily won in straight sets.

“First we are very proud and happy for our players.Then we are very thankful to God for giving us this opportunity to defend our title and we also thank the Gullas family for giving us the support,” said UV coach Raffy Briones.

On the other hand, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and the University of San Jose-Recoletos  (USJ-R) did not play in the battle for third, but both squads are already ensured of slots to the national championships along with UM-Tagum and Holy Cross of Davao-College.

The Cebuanos, however, missed total supremacy of the two-day joust bankrolled by Nestle Philippines as Raphril Aguilar and Danika Gendraul of SWU fell prey to Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Kay Quilario of UM-Tagum in the women's final, 21-18, 21-18.

In both sets, SWU went ahead in the early goings, but slowed down as the game progressed and played just like how they wanted it - slow and simple. They also lacked focus and their moves were so predicable to the delight of the Tagum belles.

The spectators who rooted for SWU were disappointed with what they saw as the Lady Cobras played way better when they demolished reigning national champion Fiola Mae Cabellos and Maria Jossa Sumande of the Central Philippines University (CPU)-Iloilo, 21-18, 21-14, in the semifinal round.

Inspite of their heart-breaking setback, SWU need not worry though as they already advanced to the grand finals along with two other Cebu teams in USPF and the University of San Carlos (USC), which is represented by Anna Krist Capinpin and Exel Ignacio.

CPU also still has the chance to defend its national national title after bagging the third place honors with a 21-5, 21-7 demolition of Jose Maria College. (FREEMAN)