Reunited Tabaquero, Caballejo rule Petron Beach volley leg

STA.ANA, Cagayan, Philippines - – Former collegiate standouts Angeli Tabaquero and Judy Ann Caballejo are back in the game they used to play together.

The former University of Santo Tomas teammates had a different kind of reunion Thursday at the start of the first leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament at the picturesque Anguib beach here.

Tabaquero, now playing for Cagayan Valley-1, towed San Beda partner Janine Marciano to a 21-10 swamping of Letran’s Monique Joy Pablo and Ethel Macasaet.

Caballejo, who last teamed up with Tabaquero and claimed third-place honors for the UST Tigresses in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines seven seasons ago, led Air Force-1 teammate Iari Yongco to a 21-17 stopping of Philippine National Police bets Alyanna Marie Gorospe and Justyn Mae Tadeo.

“Naninibago pa ako. Iba kasi ang feeling dahil bumalik ako sa outdoor,” said the 24-year-old Tabaquero.

Giving the hosts another win was Cagayan Valley-2’s Paulina Soriano and Leuseth Dawis, who prevailed over Perpetual Help-2’s Abigail Nuval and Hyrize Macabuhay, 21-17.

Cagayan Valley-1 got four points off Tabaquero’s attacks, allowing the lady Rising Suns to stretch a 4-3 to 11-5. They then took an 11-point lead, 18-7, as the pair from Letran crumbled into errors fighting to keep their game in check amidst shifting winds.

On the other hand, Caballejo scored twice off her spikes to lead Air-Force-1 away from a 15-all tie, en route to the four-point win.

The tournament is supported by the provincial government of Cagayan and the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and Mikasa/Molten balls.

In other games, Air Force-2’s Ana Abanto and Gena Andaya turned back Rizal Tech-1’s Priscilla Catacutan and Jessa Aranda, 21-15, while Perpetual Help-1 bets Elaine Kasilag and Ariana de Leon won over Pablo and Evanglista, 21-17.