Vets, rookies mix it up in Petron beach volley

MANILA, Philippines - The hunt for slots to the 2011 Battle of Champions continues when the third leg of the Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament unfolds on Friday at the De La Salle-Dasmariñas Health and Sciences campus in Cavite.

“It will be an interesting battle among the veterans and newcomers,” chief organizer Tisha Abundo said during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s along UN Avenue.

Abundo was joined in the forum, also presented by Pagcor, Outlast Battery and Smart, Dela Salle-DHS director James Antonio and Carrie Anne Costa, and the players from the 10 competing schools.

Vying in the third leg are two teams each from Dela Salle, University of the East, Perpetual Help and San Beda Alabang, and one each from Philippine Christian U and Centro Escolar Manila.

Abundo said the 10 teams will be divided into two groups, with the top two teams from each group making it to the crossover semis, and the finals.

Because of the unpredictable weather, particularly in the afternoon, Abundo said action begins at 9 a.m. on Friday, with a total of 18 matches on tap, heading to the finals on Saturday.

The finalists in all three legs of this Petron event that’s been going on for nine years now will advance to the Battle of Champions in Puerto Princesa on Oct. 11 and 12, coinciding with the birthday of Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

Last year’s Battle of Champions runners-up Jennifer Manzano and Satchel Senupe are back to seek the crown they lost to Far Eastern University’s Shaira Gonzales and Shedd de la Peña.