Petron beach volley starts tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - The 2010 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament unravels another spectacle of brawn and beauty during its first leg starting tomorrow at the DLSU-Health Sciences Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

“I would like to believe that we’re doing something right because many beach volleyball players and fans are eagerly anticipating this year’s circuit,” said organizer Tisha Abundo at the weekly PSA Forum at the Shakey’s Pizza Restaurant on UN Ave., Manila.

“This is the eighth year of the tournament. For this year’s first leg, we have chosen a brand-new court. Our aim is to push for all schools to have a facility for beach volleyball,” added Abundo, who graced the forum with Petron advertising and communications representative J de Leon and James Antonio, who is the director for services of DLSU-Health and Sciences Institute.

Abundo, a former commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and once a national team volleyball star herself, was also joined at the forum by some of the participants of the two-day volley extravaganza, led by collegiate champion Ana Alicia Adolfo and new partner Alyanna Marie Gorospe.

The two students of Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas are among five new tandems out of 10 teams expected to give a strong showing in this spikefest also supported by Mikasa Balls and Speedo.

“Adjustment will be a problem so we rely on teamwork and practice to fine-tune our game,” said Adolfo.

The 5’3” Adolfo said she is upbeat of her chances after learning that top contenders Jennifer Manzano and April Almaden of La Salle won’t be joining the tournament at their own homecourt since they are busy seeing action in the CHED National Games.

But, she and Gorospe are expected to face tough resistance from Ateneo standouts Asia Urquico and Sharah So. The two topped the third leg last year but are with different partners this time around. Urquico will play with an equally experienced Jessica Morado, while So will partner with Khryzette Onishi.

University of the East spiker Mary Ann Balmaceda and Francesca Crescini are also joining with schoolmates, Jessica Paron and Aimee de la Pena, along with Polytechnic University of the Philippines standouts Ferlyn Hermoso and Melanie Lumanlan.