M’kina tosser make Petron volley semis

MANILA, Philippines - Two newcomers from Marikina, Shirley Martinez and Lourdes de la Cruz, pulled off a 21-18 win over Dasmariñas spikers Sheila Mae Nanquil and Alyanna Gorospe to reach the semifinals of the fourth and final leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament at the sand courts of the University of the East-Caloocan campus.

Their strong presence at the frontline kept Nanquil and Gorospe at bay, and they went on to arrange a semifinal clash with University of the East bets Krycel Cueva and Francislyn Cais in this beach volley tournament backed by Petron and Mikasa balls.

Playing under the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina 1 banner, the 19-year-old Martinez came off with a drop shot which allowed their team to move away, 19-17.

A wide return by Gorospe and Dela Cruz’s drop ball in the ensuing plays gave the Marikina spikers their last two points and the win.

“Difficult to chase the ball. Teamwork pulled us through,” said De la Cruz, a business administration freshman.

They reached the semis after finishing Group A with a 2-1 win-loss record, with Pangasinan-1’s Melanie Carrera and Cindy Benitez also making it.

Carrera and Benitez swept their three-game assignment after they disposed of St. Michael-Laguna 1’s Nelcilyn Reyes and Yna Bacayon, 21-16.

Meanwhile, Cais and Cueva advanced to the semis via another three-game sweep in Group B, with the Viray twins Jeziela and Nieza.

After bowing to Cais and Cueva in their second game, Viray sisters bounced back with a 21-11 toppling of  Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina-2’s Roselyn Rumay and Marialyn Mahilum.

Martinez and Dela Cruz started off their run by turning back Reyes and  Bacayon, 22-20.

They fell behind after taking an 8-21 setback at the hands of Carrera and Benitez.