USJ-R, USPF into semis (main title) but Cebu belles fumble in Nestea Beach Volley (subhead)

BORACAY , Philippines  â€” Jade Ilut and Jason Uy of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) outlasted defending champion Mike Abria and Jade Becaldo of the University of the Visayas (UV) in their grueling three-set battle, 21-20, 26-24, 15-11, to book a semifinal ticket in the men's division of the 16th Nestea Beach Volley National Finals yesterday here at the paradise island.

USJ-R's Ilut and Uy were joined into the next round by another Cebuano tandem of Edmar Bonono and Edward Ybañez from the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, who also survived a three-set thriller against the hard-fighting Holy Cross of Davao College, 21-15, 19-21,15-11.

UV's Abria and Becaldo maybe down but are not out yet as they still have to play against either the University of Perpetual Help System-Laguna and University of Mindanao-Tagum in the loser's bracket. A victory would send the Visayanians into the semis of the three-day tilt bankrolled by Nestle Philippines.

“We just wanted to give them (UV) a good fight but my wards played well especially Jade Illut who performed beyond my expectations,” said USJ-R head coach Grace Antigua.

While all of Cebu’s men’s teams are still in contention for the national crown that goes along with a P100,000 bounty, their female counterparts have nothing else to look forward to but a timely summer vacation at the pristine blue waters and white sands of Boracay.

This after Southwestern University’s Danika Gendrauli and Raphril Aguilar failed to meet expectations, losing to the witty University of Sto. Tomas (UST) duo of Maruja Banaticla and Judy Caballero in round 4 of the loser’s bracket, 21-18, 21-16.

The SWU belles were relegated into the loser's bracket after bowing to two-time defending Central Philippines University (CPU). Unfortunately, Gendrauli and Aguilar had to kick out fellow Cebuanas Anna Capinpin and Exel Ignacio from the University of San Carlos to stay alive, 21-8, 21-11. Their title hopes, however, were eventually extinguished by UST.

Aside from SWU and USC, University of Southern Philippines Foundation’s Apple Saraum also faltered in making her farewell showing in the prestigious.  (FREEMAN)