Lady Patriots Petron volley queens

PUROK Marcela, Lingayen, Philippines – Pangasinense spiker Jennifer Manzano struck an imposing presence at the frontline as she and De La Salle University-Dasmariñas teammate April Almaden captured the third leg crown of the 2009 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament yesterday at the beach front of the Purok Marcela Resort here.

The 5’11” Manzano, cheered on by members of her family who came from a neighboring barangay, kept Ateneo rivals Asia Urquico and Sharah So at bay with her gutsy plays at the net, allowing her and Almaden to pull off a 21-7, 21-6 triumph in the finals.

The two-day event was backed by Petron, Speedo and Mikasa, with support from Pagcor, Coca-Cola, Victory Liner, Tanduay Rhum, Orica Phils., Inc. Dragon Fireworks, Inc. Mandarin Chemicals, Trust Trade Inc. and Izumo Builders, Inc

“Nilaro lang namin ‘yung game namin at nag-enjoy lang kami. Naiwasan namin ‘yung mga errors, because we tried our best to eliminate pressure from the game,” said the 19-year-old Almaden, who began a 6-0 run in the first with a smash to the left side and a service winner.

A pair of smashes from Manzano at the net also helped give the Lady Patriots the tempo after getting away with another 6-0 spurt in the second set.

They earned the P20,000 top purse, which the organizers put up with the support of Philippine National Police Gen. Leopoldo Bataoil, director for Police Operations (Northern Luzon), his deputy, Gen. Francisco Manalo Jr., and Lingayen councilor Ramon Bataoil.