Cebu spikers sweep finals

BORACAY, Philippines – University of San Jose-Recoletos and University of Southern Philippines Foundation downed their respective rivals to complete a twin kill for Cebu-based teams in the Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit here yesterday.

Ariel Carumba and Loujei Tipgos of USJR neutralized the power-hitting pair of Buensuceso Sayson and Arnel Amadeo of defending men’s champion Foundation U of Dumaguete City with their superb all-around game to pull off a 21-14, 21-17 victory in one of the biggest upsets in the 13-year history of the annual event.

Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum of USPF outduelled the tandem of Angela Benting and Lizlee Ann Gata, 21-17, 23-21, to bag the ladies’ plum and complete the double victory.

“Back home, we trained in several beaches and I think it helped us a lot,” said USJR coach Grace Antigua, a former national team mainstay, in Filipino.

“We’ve prepared hard by training on real sands and in a real beach. I think it made my players tougher,” said USPF mentor Thelma Datig, who retired from Southwestern U to join the Lady Panthers last year.

Carumba and Tipgos showed superb court coverage and a net defense to defuse the crisp-hitting duo of Sayson and Amadeo, who seemed to have lost steam after dominating the opposition in both the Visayan regionals and the semis here.

“Our game plan was to play defense and we did that. They also looked tired and spent so we took advantage of it,” said the 21-year-old Carumba, a fourth year business management student and the other half of the team that finished only fifth last year.

It was the third title for the Jaguars, the Cebu collegiate champions, following victories in 2001 and 2004 while the Lady Panthers snared their first title that made up for a disappointing sixth place finish last year.

Most importantly, the twin victories marked the first time that Cebu had swept both championships of the annual event.

“It’s nice to win our school’s first title,” said the 19-year-old Verano, whose brilliant plays inspired and motivated her rookie partner throughout. “It’s also nice to know that the men’s champion comes from Cebu, it makes us really proud.”

Adamson coach Dulce Pante, a former RP team mainstay in volleyball, basketball and badminton in the late 60s and early 70s, said the result could’ve been different had her team trained in a real sand court.

“We only practiced once on an artificial sand court in University of Santo Tomas last Labor Day and it really affected our game,” said Pante, who steered the Lady Falcons to the 2002 title.

“When we won in 2002, Ai Ai (Quina) and Christine (Dave) practiced for more than a week in a beach in Bicol,” she said.

The tournament was sponsored by Ipanema, Speedo, Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu, L’Oreal Paris Elseve, Nautilus by PJ Arañador, Mikasa, D’Mall D’Boracay, Tagum Beach Volley Drome at Rotary Park, Hey! Jude Resort, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Crystal Sand Beach Resort.