Manzano, pal clinch Petron volley crown

DASMARINAS, Philippines  – National indoor player Jennifer Manzano and Giselle Bembo, spiking higher, stronger and faster crushed University of the East bets Francislyn Cais and Jessica Paron, 21-9, 21-6, to claim their first-ever title together in the first leg of the 2012 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball tournament.

The 23-year-old Manzano and Bembo, both stalwarts of La Salle-Dasmariñas, were simply too much against the UE bets, sweeping the best-of-three finale in two games at the sand-courts of the De La Salle Health Science Institute campus here.

The two first hurdled Letran-2 bets Justine Mae Tadeo and Melissa Cu, 21-8, 21-17, in the semis to reach the finals of this spikefest supported by Petron, Mikasa Balls, Speedo and DLS-Health Sciences Institute.

Paron and Cais, last year’s Battle of the Champions winner, turned back Letran-1 spikers Gena Andaya and Sarah Jane Espelita,13-21, 23-21, 15-9, to arrange a showdown with Manzano and Bembo.

Manzano’s killshot and a sideout by Paron off a placement shot to the backline in the first set at the net capped a big scoring run by the La Salle-Dasmariñas bets, giving them a 9-3 opening lead.

Struggling to gain control with the winds gusting towards the back of their opponents’ side of the court, Cais then erred with her serve and then sent a long placement out of bounds.

This gave Manzano and Bembo a decisive 15-8 edge in the ensuing play.

In the second set, Manzano scored five points off her winners serves and a smash, allowing her and Bembo to shatter a 3-all deadlock and erect an 11-3 spread via an 8-0 run.

Manzano’s accurate placement shot to the backline continued in the ensuing play as they cruised to a comfortable 17-4 advantage  en route to the win.

It was Manzano’s fifth Petron volley crown in four years, rewarding her with yet another berth in the Battle of Champions at season’s end.

Due to her numerous commitments with the national team, Manzano skipped the grand finale last year even though she qualified for the Battle of the Champions when she and former partner Satchel Senupe won the third leg.