Foundation U paces Nestea volley

BORACAY — Foundation University, returning to this island paradise with a more formidable tandem in Kent Bulabon and Isidro Bongcasan, put a solid foundation in its title-retention bid in the sixth Nestea Beach Volley University Championships by blasting De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, 21-11, 21-14, at the start of the final round of the exciting summer event at the Hey Jude beachfront here yesterday.

Bulabon and Bongcasan, spearheads of the two Foundation U teams that disputed the 2001 crown, proved too much for Edgar Paule and Reygan Espera, hacking out an easy straight-set victory for a seat in Sunday’s medal play of the beach volley spectacle that drew the best collegiate teams in the country.

The Dumaguete-based Foundation U advanced to the semifinals against PATTS College of Aeronautics, a 21-20, 21-19 winner over fellow Metro Manila qualifier Central Colleges of the Philippines in the quarterfinals of the event sponsored by Speedo, Asian Spirit, Astring-o-Sol Ice, Mikasa, Kenny Rogers Roasters, WG&A Superferry, Carl’s Jr. and Boracay resorts, bars and restaurants Boracay Gold Crowne Club, Villa de Oro, Club 10 Beach Resort, Crystal Sand, Alyssa Resort, Bazzura, Summer Place, Caribo and Hey Jude.

Mapua Institute of Technology and University of San Jose Recoletos fashioned out contrasting victories over Far Eastern U and Pampanga Agricultural College, respectively, to set up the other Final Four matchup in the men’s division.

In the distaff side, Foundation U repulsed Mapua, 21-14, 21-7, to lead the qualifiers in the semifinal round.

Likewise staying in the hunt for the championship and the P100,000 top prize are Metro Manila teams Letran, St. Jude College and Adamson University.

Letran’s Sherrilyn Carrilio and Cathlea Villaluz topped Baguio College Foundation’s Ma. Christine Enola and Jhoanna Joanino, 21-18, 21-9; SJC’s Angie Adorable and Kriza Cabanog tripped La Salle-Dasmariñas’ Raissa Ramirez and Rhonna Ramirez, 21-15, 21-14; and Adamson’s Kristine Anne Dave and Ailane Quina swamped Southwestern U’s Janeth Ponte and Florina Gutierres, 21-19, 21-20.

It will be Foundation versus Letran and St. Jude against Adamson in the ladies’ semis.

Fun and excitement filled the Boracay air as celebrities Paolo Bediones, Isabel Granada, Hans Montenegro, Chinchin Gutierrez, Paolo Trillo, Miriam Quiambao and others slugged it out in an exhibition match.

The team led by Bediones, Granada and Montenegro beat in three sets the one spearheaded by Trillo, Gutierrez and Quiambao.