Stags trip Bombers in NCAA beach volley

MANILA, Philippines - Defending women’s champion San Sebastian College made an early statement in its title retention campaign as it easily disposed of Jose Rizal University, 21-11, 21-8, at the start of the NCAA beach volleyball tournament recently at the La Salle Green Hills sand courts.

The pair of reigning Most Valuable Player (MVP) Lou Ann Latigay and Margarita Pepito scored back-to-back victories on opening day.

After beating JRU’s Marjonette Echano and Georgia Salamera last Monday, SSC trounced Aileen Binaday and Annabelle Dionela of Philippine Christian University (PCU), 21-19, 21-14.

College of St. Benilde, however, leads the pack.

The Lady Blazers’ LC Quemada and Giza Yumang rolled to their third straight win in as many games by beating Letran’s Krizelle Moralejo and Gena Andaya, 21-11, 21-9.

Quemada and Yumang, who is playing beach volleyball for the first time, also registered a 21-15, 21-9 triumph against the Lady Dolphins; and 21-13, 21-13 over San Beda’s Cherry Quizon and Joy Palacio.

The winningest team in the seven-year old tournament with three titles, SSC is currently tied with Perpetual Help in second place on similar 2-0 cards in the tournament backed by La Salle Greenhills, Mikasa, Gatorade, Speedo and Grand Sport.

The Lady Altas tandem of Keshia de Luna and April Sartin crushed Quizon and Palacio of the Lady Lions, 21-13, 21-10, and needed three sets to edge Moralejo and Andaya of the Lady Knights, 21-16, 17-21, 16-14.

In the men’s division, Letran is unbeaten in three outings after Eden Canlas and former juniors beach volley MVP Erickson Ramos defeated Leonel Laraya and James Lorca of San Beda, 22-20, 21-16.

Canlas and Ramos also recorded a 21-15, 19-21, 15-12 victory over PCU’s Gab Usman and Marion Roa, and 22-20, 21-17 win over Renerick Canlas and Girald Heraldo of San Sebastian.

Action resumes today with an eight-game bill which starts at 10 a.m.