MANILA, Philippines - Perpetual Help’s Keshia de Luna and April Ann Sartin turned back St. Benilde’s Giza Yumang and LC Quemada, 21-18, 21-17, to bag the crown in the 85th NCAA beach volleyball at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City yesterday.
De Luna and Sartin used a superb net defense and court coverage to neutralize the power game of Yumang and Quemada and snare the Las Pinas-based school’s first title in the event organized by the league committee chaired by Jose Rizal’s Paul Supan.
Perpetual Help made it a double victory as its high school pair of John Francisco and Louie Chavez trounced San Sebastian’s PJ Rojas and Harold Nacino, 21-11, 21-15.
“Our hard work finally paid off,” said the 20-year-old de Luna, who emerged the tournament MVP.
Letran retained its men’s crown as Warren Pirante and Erickson Ramos foiled Gerry Dave and Chris Salvador of Arellano U, 21-17, 21-17. Ramos also went to take the MVP plum in the meet backed by Mikasa, Speedo, Gatorade and Cheers.
The Lady Altas made it first to the championship round by beating San Sebastian, 21-12, 18-21, 16-14, and St. Benilde, 18-21, 21-12, 15-10.
The Lady Blazers clinched the last finals berth by thumping the SSC spikers, 21-13, 21-19. – Joey Villar