Fil-Ams dominate beach volleyball

BACOLOD CITY — Two Filipino-American teams representing Philippines-2 scored a twin kill for Team Philippines B despite the sweltering heat at the opening game of the SEAG beach volleyball event at the University of St. La Salle ball field here.

Diane Pascua and Heide Ilustre defeated Vietnam’s Mai Thi Hoa and Nguyen Thi Tiep in Pool A, 21-12, 21-19 but Team Philippines-1 led by Negrense spikers Cecile Tabuena and Michelle Laborte bowed to defending champions Kamoltip Kulna and Jarunee Sannok of Thailand-A in Pool B, 21-10 , 1-14.

Fil-Ams Chad Mowrey and Justine Schonnor of Philippines-2 outdueled Malaysians Lee Kwong Tung and Mohammad Nasiruddin Mohd Hashim in Pool B in a three-set match that lasted 50 minutes, 21-15, 10-21, 15-10.

RP squads last competed in the 1997 SEA Games in Jakarta where they placed fourth in both the men’s and women’s divisions.

Thailand also came in strong in the opening games here as both the men and women players overpowered their respective opponents, including the Filipinas in Pool A.

Thailand-2 tandem Usa Tenpaksee and Yupa Phokongploy overpowered Ni Putu Timy Yudhani Rahayu and DEvota Saveriana Rahawain of Indonesia-1, 21-10, 21-16 in Pool A.