Collegiate tossers clash in Petron beach volley

MANILA, Philippines - Two collegiate standouts are coming back to seek top honors in the third leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball tournament, which kicks off Friday at the sand-courts of the De La Salle-Health Sciences Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

San Beda College’s Debbie Dultra and new partner Carmina Rebolledo, and the tandem of Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas’ Alyanna Marie Gorospe and Alicia Adolfo are expected to make their presence felt in the beach volley tournament, now on its 12th year.

Dultra, who reached the semifinals of a recent collegiate tournament with Mona Diolazo, said the spikefest will provide her and Rebolledo the opportunity to use the new techniques she learned this year.

Gorospe, who played in the first leg at the Anguib beach in Cagayan early this year, said her exposure against stronger players has raised the level of her game.

“I used to struggle in beach volley but I’ve learned a lot since, including in movement and footwork,” said Dultra during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

For Gorospe, she hopes to get a feel of the game while taking on younger participants in this spikefest supported by Mikasa Balls and DLS-Health Sciences Institute.

“I did not expect to face professional and strong players in Cagayan. I hope to win games this time around,” stated Gorospe.

Organizer Tisha Abundo, who graced the weekly forum with DLS-HSI’s Karla Jay Soriano and Sarah Aldana, said they are privileged to have players who are not only playing for their schools, but former student athletes who are on the comeback trail.

“I’m happy to note that this is not merely a school tournament, it also involves women who are returning to the sport even after they have graduated from college,” observed Abundo.

Other entries include La Salle-Dasmarinas-alumni Rosebeige Mendoza and Shiela Mae Nanquil, San Beda-2’s Shannen Limn and Camille de la Pena, Emilio Aguinaldo College-1’s Charmille Belleza and Clara Camille Lozada.

Also in the fray are EAC-2’s Yvonne Reyes and Arnie Yumul, Far Eastern University-1’s Bernadeth Pons and Charm Simborio, FEU-2’ Rizalie Amaro and Kyla Atienza, Letran-1’s Jan Carreon and Kathleen Barrinuevo, and Letran’s Ethel Evangelista and Mikaela Lopez.