Adamson belles halt Lady Eagles in UAAP beach volley

MANILA, Philippines - Adamson University opened its title-retention bid in the women’s division on a bright note as Amanda Villanueva and Marleen Cortel outlasted Ateneo’s Michelle Morente and Jhoana Maraguinot, 21-10, 22-20, yesterday in the UAAP Season 77 beach volleyball tournament before a big crowd at the UE Caloocan sand court.

The Lady Falcons escaped with the victory after the Lady Eagles committed consecutive errors.

Adamson University made it a double as its men’s team of Michael Sudaria and Rence Melgar shocked Edwin Tolentino and Josephnry Tipay of defending two-time champion National University, 21-17, 21-19.

Cortel ably filled the void left by last year’s MVP Sheila Pineda, who has already used up her playing eligibility, and was an excellent partner for Villanueva. She was effective in her coverage of the court as well as in attacking the net.

The Lady Bulldogs’ Jaja Santiago and Fatima General, however, foiled the Lady Falcons’ bid for a second straight win, needing three sets to hammer out a 19-21, 21-16, 15-9 in the afternoon match.

Last season’s runner-up University of Santo Tomas, fielding a new pair in rookies Cherry Rondina and Rica Rivera, beat De La Salle’s Ara Galang and Cyd Demecillo, 21-18, 21-13.

In other morning matches, Far Eastern University’s Bernadette Pons and Charm Simborio beat NU, 21-18, 21-15, while University of the Philippines’ Arylle Magtalas and Hannah Mangulabnan defeated University of the East’s Francislyn Cais and Krysel Cueva, 21-17, 21-18.

Other men’s results saw Ateneo defeating De La Salle, 21-16, 21-14, FEU downing UE, 21-10, 21-14, and UST scoring a 21-16, 21-14 decision over UP.