UV, SWU bets close in on Nestea semis

BACOLOD CITY – University of the Visayas (UV) and Southwestern University (SWU) scored victories in emphatic fashions yesterday to zero in on national semifinals berths in the 12th NESTEA Beach Volleyball Visayas eliminations at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) sandcourt here.

Women’s reigning titlists Janez Igot and Jusabelle Brillo stamped their class and downed Sheryl Denila and Jerriz Solis of USLS, 21-15, 21-15, for their second straight victory in the three-day regional elims.

Janelle Tabio hardly worked out a sweat with new partner Florian Gutierrez as SWU rapped University of Southern Philippines Foundation’s (USPF) Herlene Ybarita and Erika Verano, 21-13, 21-11.

Another victory for UV and SWU will clinch them seats in the national semifinals slated April 24-26 in Boracay.

The men’s teams from Foundation University and USPF, last year’s semifinalists, also moved within a win away from the national semis by posting contrasting victories.

Foundation’s Rolando Agus and Arnel Amadeo struggled in the opening set but still held off University of San Agustin’s (USA) Allan Dayang and Verdin De Ocampo, 18-21, 21-16, 15-8, while USPF’s James Rivera and Jonrey Sasing beat University of San Jose-Recoletos’ Ariel Carumba and Loujei Tipgos, 21-13, 21-19.

Agus and Amadeo bucked a sluggish start as they combined power-serving and stifling defense in the next two sets to rattle off Dayang and De Ocampo. 

Amadeo sealed the match with back-to-back kills.

In other women’s matches, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) and USA ousted their respective rivals and evened their record at 1-1 in the double eliminations tournament. UNO-R’s Jenny Torres and Julie Billote defeated Maria Antonia Gabiligno and Elenie Perew-Perew of Foundation, 21-18, 21-11, while USA’s Jackelyn Estoquia and Marian Jamora walloped University of Iloilo’s (UI) Richell Arroz and Karen Aranda, 21-9, 21-11.

The fight for berths in the national semis heats up today as only the top three teams from each division advance into the national round.

The top male and female squads will also get first-round byes in the national semis.

The event is sponsored by Havaianas, Speedo, Mikasa, Penshoppe, Tagum Beach Volley Drome Rotary Park, University of St. La Salle Bacolod, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, Crystal Sand Beach Resort, Le Soleil de Boracay Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, D’Mall, D’Boracay and Hey! Jude Hotel Resort.