Manzano, Benitez win Petron volley's 2nd leg

MANILA, Philippines - Jennifer Manzano and partner Cindy Benitez hacked out a 21-23, 21-10, 21-10 victory over University of Luzon-Dagupan’s Melanie Carrera and Cassandra Lleda to cop the Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament’s second leg crown in Lingayen, Pangasinan Tuesday.

Benitez and Manzano, a former La Salle-Dasmariñas standout now playing for Team Mangaldan, fought their way out of a two-point loss in the first set to sweep the next two in convincing fashion.

The win gave Manzano her fifth title in the Petron volleyball circuit, backed by Mikasa Balls, Speedo, the office of Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, and the province of Pangasinan, through Gov. Amado Espino Jr.

Benitez and Manzano also clinched an automatic berth in the Petron Battle of the Champions, the winner of which will represent the country in the World University Games in Russia next year.

Finding the wind too strong to their kind of game, Manzano said she needed to soften her attacks and interception plays before she and Benitez could finally gain headway in the final two sets.

“It’s tough playing in windy condition, we can’t control the ball. But we persevered and thank God, we won,” said the 23-year-old Manzano.

She and Benitez arranged a finals showdown with Carrera and Lleda after outplaying National Capital Region Athletic Association champions Julienne Abat and Jessa Aranda of Rizal Technological University, 21-15, 21-16, in the semifinals.

Carrera and Lleda also fought it out for three sets in the semis with College of St. Benilde’s Cindy Valencia and Rossan Fajardo, 23-21, 21-10, 15-11.