Carrera taps new pal for Petron beach volley

MANILA, Philippines - Pangasinense spikers Melanie Carrera is coming back and will try to conquer the second leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball tournament at the beachfront of the provincial capitol grounds in Lingayen.

She will be with new partner Juvelyn Castillo when action begins on May 1.

The last time she joined together with partner Cassandra Lleda, they battled a strong breeze blowing northwards before getting past University of the East spikers Leuseth Dawis and Sarmiento, 21-18, 22-20, for the crown.

This time around, Carrera and Castillo will join four other local teams in fighting for the top honor against five pairs from Metro Manila.

“The players from Pangasinan and from Northern Luzon have improved. Now there are more of them participating,” said organizer Tisha Abundo, who presented the participants during Tuesday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Carrera and Castillo are not expected to have an easy time in this spikefest which is supported by the provincial government of Pangasinan, Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil, and Mikasa Balls.

University of the East alumni spikers Ginaflor Alanguilan, now on vacation from her job as a recreation specialist in Jeddah, and shipping management student Abigail Escandor vowed to put up a good fight.

“We’re still in the game,” said Escandor, who last saw action in 2009 with Alinguilan where both made it as far as the semifinals of the first leg.

The Viray twins, Nieza and Jeziela of Pangasinan State University, are also returning with local entries, Marife Diaz and Marjoy Marcellones of the University of Lingayen, Team Lingayen’s Dominic Ventayen and Melva Castillo, and Team Baguio’s Krissian Tauchiya and Shirley Balantac.

Also providing challenges are La Salle-Dasmariñas spikers Bea Canillas and Jenny Zarate, DLSU-Dasma alumni Aileen Abuel and Regina Tungol.

Philippine Merchant Marine School-1’s Nicole Banas and Nao Segawa will be there with PMMS-2’s Jaynilyn Banares and Clarisse Cabrera.