Letran, FEU spikers near Boracay berths

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning NCAA champion Letran flexed its muscles yesterday and notched a third straight win in the Luzon leg of the Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit at the SM Mall of Asia Bay Area.

Eden Canlas and Joseph Erickson Ramos, barely a week after nailing the NCAA title, survived Gabriel Usman and Marion James Roa of Philippine Christian U, 21-17, 21-14, for a perfect 3-0 record.

Letran defeated the same PCU team for the NCAA title, and Canlas said this gave them enough cushion, and all the information they needed to pull off a similar victory in the Nestea event.

“We didn’t do anything new because we’ve faced them a few times in the NCAA,” said Canlas, so glad to have Ramos, the juniors MVP in NCAA beach volley, as his teammate.

Far Eastern University also remained undefeated and stayed on a collision course with Letran for the Luzon crown. The semis and finals will be held today at the sun-baked venue by the bay.

Seeking a third straight Luzon crown, FEU whipped Lyceum Batangas, 21-16, 21-10, for a 2-0 slate. If Letran and FEU win their morning matches, they get automatic slots to the Boracay stage on May 6-9.

“We’re two-zero but we cannot take it easy. We still have to win tomorrow to get to Boracay,” said FEU’s Joshua Alcarde who continued to squeeze the best from rookie teammate Jan Berlin Paglinawan.

Out to dispute the women’s crown are Letran, a 21-15, 23-25, 15-13 2 winner over San Beda Alabang; UE, a 21-7, 21-15 winner over UP; and University of the Cordilleras, a 21-14, 21-11 winner over St. Louis U.

Earlier, San Beda defeated St. Benilde, 23-21, 10-21, 15-13; NCBA edged Adamson, 21-14, 22-20; Perpetual Help Dalta downed La Salle Taft, 21-7, 21-14; and La Salle Dasmariñas nipped UP, 21-18, 19-21,15-11.

The Mindanao leg is set March 26-28 at the Tagum Beach Volley Drome. – Abac Cordero