All eyes on CEU bet as Petron volley starts

MANILA, Philippines - Three-time collegiate finalist Giza Yumang will be among the top contenders for the crown in the third leg of the 2012 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament when it starts today at the sand-courts of the University of the East-Caloocan campus.

Yumang, who made it to the National Collegiate Athletic Association finals thrice while with College of St. Benilde two years ago, is now with Centro Escolar University and is teaming up with Melissa Tebangin.

The two, who are among 12 teams seeking a slot in the Battle of Champions, are the main threats to the title aspiration of University of the East standouts Jessica Paron and Francislyn Cais.

“Enjoy lang ako sa laro ko ngayon. Pinaghahandaan ko ito,” said Yumang, who is coming off a year-long layoff.

Paron and Cais, winner of the Battle of Champions honors last year, are also among the top contenders expected to take on challengers, who are volleyball titleholders from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities.

Organizer Tisha Abundo said most of the participants from the 12 teams are newcomers, who want to experience the thrill of playing the beach sport.

Adamson’s Paulina Soriano and new partner Sheila Pineda, who made it to the UAAP Final Four last season, are also a threat.

 along with former La Salle-Dasmarinas spiker Satchel Senupe and Anna Adolfo.

AMA Computer College’s Lorie Lyn Longalong and Sheila Mae Fajardo, who are part of the schools’ indoor team which won the NAASCU crown last year, are also expected to give the favorites a run for their money.

La Salle Dasmarinas is fielding in two teams of newbies, Monique Tiangco and Maribeth Lara, and the duo of Bea Canillas and Cherry Rose Nunag, while UE-2’s Krysel Cueva teams up with Marni Pedrosa.

San Sebastian College is sending in Gretchel Soltones and Czarina Berbano, while other entries are St. Dominic of Asia’s Ma. Evangeline Pastor and Evelyn Gomez, Arellano University’s Jan Galang and Mary Jane Ticar, and Philippine School of Business Administration’s Naomi Otoshi and Joan Arceo.