Petron stages volley 'Battle of Champs'

MANILA, Philippines - The best of beach volley teams cross paths next week in the Battle of Champions, the final leg of the 2011 Petron Ladies beach volleyball tournament at Baywalk in the City of Puerto Princesa. 

Champions and runners-up in the previous three legs compete against each other in the Oct. 11-12 meet featuring seven teams from Manila and three others from the host city.

Top bets from Letran and De La Salle University-Dasmariñas are expected to crowd each other for the title and the bragging rights as this year’s “Queen of the Beach.”

Letran is bannered by Marinnele Carolino and new partner Sarah Jane Espelita. Carolino with Gene Andaya as partner, took runner-up honors behind back-to-back champions Jennifer Manzano and Satchel Senupe in last year’s Battle of Champions.

Manzano and Senupe are not around to defend their title, but Iari Yongco and Giselle Bembo will be there and try to keep the championship for the school.

Yongco and Bembo lost to schoolmates Manzano and Senupe in the finals of the third leg last July.

“Ito na yung best of the best from among the participants, from the first, second, and third leg,” said tournament organizer Tisha Abundo in the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s UN Ave.

“There will be bigger prizes of course, and the right to claim the ‘Queen of the Beach’ honor,” Abundo, a former sports commissioner, added in the same session presented by Smart, Pagcor, Outlast Battery, and Shakey’s.

Also appearing in the forum were DLSU-Dasmarinas sports director Gerry Sergio and players Jessamine Fernandez and partner Iumi Yongco

(DLSU-Dasma), Ma. Leuseht Dawis and Mary Grace Masangkay (UE), Frances Cais and Jessica Paron (UE) and Iari Yongco (DLSU-Dasma).

Completing the field in the meet presented by Speedo, Mikasa Balls and the City of Puerto Princesaare the two teams from UP composed of Pauline Genido and Liezchel Tiu, and Joyce Palad and Amanda Isada.

The two-day finals will also be held in honor of the 65th birthday of city mayor Edward Hagedorn.

Organizers also aim the promote the nomination of PuertoPrincesaUndergroundRiveras part of the new seven wonders of nature. Abundo added that owing to the success of the event, now on its ninth year, the spikefest will be held in newer venues by next season.

She confirmed that BagasbasBeachin Camarines Norte will host the first leg this January.