FEU amazons Petron beach volley queens

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern University’s best bets Anna Abanto and Marigail Tolentino got back at their University of the East rivals Jimberly Dizon and April Soriano, 21-12, 21-13, to clinch the first leg crown of the 2009 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament at the sand courts of the UE-Caloocan campus.

This is their third title in three years, counting their back-to-back crowns in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines spikefest five months ago.  

“We got back at them. We never backed down even if they beat us in the elimintions,” said Abanto, a 21-year-old education student.  

They earned the P10,000 first prize in this spikefest backed by Petron, Mikasa (official ball) and Speedo (official outfitter). More importantly, they earned automatic berths in the Battle of the Champions at the end of the beach volleyball season.  

Enduring the mid-afternoon heat, Tolentino shattered a 6-all deadlock in the final set with her drop shot. Then, Abanto took charge with her all-around game, unleashing two more drop shots and a pair of service winners, which their taller rivals were not able to anticipate.  

Abanto’s aggressive moves enabled the FEU pair to move ahead, 11-7.

Tolentino’s smash at the net, a pair of errors by Dizon and Soriano, and Abanto’s service winner in the ensuing play handed the FEU Lady Tams an unassailable 18-10 advantage.  

Dizon and Soriano topped Group B after beating Abanto and Tolentino, 21-14, during the eliminations.  

But the 21-year-old Abanto and Tolentino, the grandniece of Philippine Basketball Association great Philip Cezar, then hurdled another UE duo in Ginaflor Alanguilan and Abigail Escandor, 21-19, 21-13, in the semis.  

They found themselves facing their nemesis again when Soriano and Dizon put away a tough University of the Philippines pair, Southlyn Ramos and Pauline Genido, 21-10, 23-21, in a closely fought contest.  

Soriano’s lob to the backside, and a service winner broke a 21-all deadlock, and assured them of their place in the finals.