USPF, UV advance to Bora meet

BACOLOD CITY – University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) and women’s reigning champion University of the Visayas (UV) scored contrasting wins yesterday to banner the Visayas qualifiers in the 12th NESTEA Beach Volleyball tournament at the University of St. La Salle sandcourt here.

USPF’s James Rivera and Jonrey Sasing first whipped University of San Agustin’s (USA) Allan Dayang and Verdin De Ocampo, 21-13, 21-12, in the leg’s Final Four phase before downing Foundation University’s Rolando Agus and Arnel Amadeo, 21-19, 21-16, in the final round.

UV veterans Janez Igot and Jusabelle Brillo, meanwhile, tripped Herlene Ybarita and Erika Verano of USPF, 21-13, 21-12, before ruling the distaff side with a hard-earned 16-21, 21-15, 15-13 triumph over bitter rivals Janelle Tabio and Florian Gutierrez of Southwestern University (SWU) six hours later.

USPF and UV’s feats earned them a first-round bye in the nationals slated on April 24-26 in Boracay.

It was USPF’s first national appearance as partners, but both Rivera and Sasing had previously competed in the crucial round for separate teams the past years.  Rivera is on his third semis trip highlighted by a fourth place finish with then partner Ronald Melencio last year, while Sasing is on his fourth.

“Our individual experiences were our biggest advantage here,” Sasing, a member of the 2004 champion team from the University of San Jose Recoletos, said in Filipino. 

Meanwhile, Igot and Brillo are making their second semis trip with hopes of retaining the women’s crown.  “We hope to keep the title but we have to work hard on practice to build up our stamina,” Brillo said.

The runner-up finish of both Foundation and SWU also booked them semis slots. University of St. Salle (USLS) and the women’s team of USPF disposed separate rivals to catch up with the last semis bus.

USLS’s Emmanuel Luces and Mark Sabusap escaped past the gritty plays of USA, 17-21, 21-18, 15-11, while USPF’s Ybarita and Verano beat University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos’ Jenny Torres and Julie Billote, 21-19, 21-17, in the battle-for-third contention.

The Visayas qualifiers completed the semifinals cast composed of Capitol University, University of Mindanao-Tagum, Holy Cross of Davao College, Far Eastern University, Philippine Christian University and University of Perpetual Help Dalta in the men’s division, as well as Holy Cross, UM-Tagum, University of Mindanao-Davao, Adamson U, Far Eastern U and Lyceum of the Philippines in the women’s side.

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.