The STARmen dominated Del Monte behind Dahlia Santiago and Nikki Gabitan (ladies doubles), Chester Cordero and Jopet Sison (men’s doubles) and Melody Villaceran and Dodie Gutierrez (mixed doubles).
Santiago later teamed up with Annalyn Delgado, while Cordero partnered with Glen Padpad and Gutierrez paired with Jona Magnaye to anchor the team’s romp over Pilipinas Shell.
Matching the STARmen’s 2-0 start in the event sponsored by JVC (PHILS.), Inc. are RCBC, Accenture and Toyota. RCBC beat Shell, 2-1, then blanked Del Monte, 3-0, to tie Philstar for the lead in Group 1.
Accenture nipped ABS-CBN, 2-1, then swept PDIC, 3-0, to show the way in Group 2 of the eight-cluster corporate division, which stakes P50,000 to the champion. Toyota Motor Phils. Corp. beat Holcim, 2-1, and Total Phils. Corp., 2-1.
RCBC, Philstar, Accenture and Toyota have actually secured their place in the last 16 with RCBC and Philstar disputing the top spot in Group 1 in the final day of the qualifiers on Saturday.
After a round robin competition, the top two squads in each group will advance to the round of 16 on July 1, also at PowerSmash. Winners will then be ranked according to the number of team ties won for the quarterfinals on July 2 when action in the event shifts to the Glorietta Activity Center.
ABS-CBN bounced back from a loss to Accenture by defeating Malayan Insurance, 3-0, and stay in the hunt for a berth in the last 16. Malayan also had a 1-1 card after winning over PDIC, 2-1, in Group 2.
AB Leisure prevailed over JVC, 3-0, while Makati Medical Center edged Philam Life, 2-1, to post 1-0 records in Group 3. Philam Life also routed JVC, 3-0, to stay in the race for a last 16 spot.
ADB and Total split their first two games to trail unbeaten Toyota Motor in Group 4 while matches in Groups 4 to 8 are still being played at presstime.
Aside from the corporate, elite and juniors divisions, other categories on tap in the event sponsored by JVC (PHILS.), Inc. are veterans-elite, veterans-novice, celebrity, alumni and the centerpiece elite masters. Winners in the elite masters category will each receive P35,000 while the elite division stakes P12,000 to the champions plus fabulous gift prizes. The juniors and veteran divisions (all-events) champions will each get P8,000 each.
The event is backed by Victor, exclusively distributed by Pcome Industrial Sales, Inc., Bacchus Energy Drink, Lactacyd, Snickers Chocolates, Pioneer Life, LTIMEstudio, Lifestyle Watch Store, Alaska, Ayala Center, The Philippine STAR, Accel, Sunbolt, PowerSmash, Pinoy Exchange, Solar Sports and Magic 89.9.