Pinay pair sizzles in beach volley opener

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines got off to a hot start in the first “Fit to Hit” Philippine Beach Volley Invitational yesterday when the pair of Bea Tan and Lindsay Dowd turned back a more experienced tandem from Malaysia at the Sands SM by the Bay.

Tan, a product of Ateneo, and Dowd, a Fil-American from San Jose, California, teamed up well for the Philips Gold banner and came out with a 21-14, 18-21, 15-10 decision over Low Mei Ching and Nurraini Binti of Pasabache.

It took Tan and Dowd close to an hour and a lot of patience under the blazing sun to notch their first win as a beach volley pair.

They dictated the action in the opening set but found strong resistance from Malaysia’s No. 2 squad in the second, leading to a decisive third set. Tan and Dowd jumped to a 9-4 lead and reached match point at 14-9.

After Low, who stands close to six feet, hit her serve long, Tan and Dowd sealed the win.

Tan said they’re not expecting much in this eight-team, four-nation event put up by Solar Sports.           

“We’ve been practicing as a pair for only four or five days. We’re just here to have fun and try to win some matches,” said Tan.

“We just supported and kept pushing each other out there. I owe it all to Bea. This is my first beach volley tournament ever in my life,” said Dowd, an attractive 24-year-old who can easily draw the fans. Her mother is Filipina.

There are many more matches to be played for Tan and Dowd.

The top-ranked team from New Zealand, Julia Tilley and Shauna Polley, known in this event as Team Ceres, breezed Hong Kong’s Wai Yan Lo and Rachel Tam, 21-5, 21-4, in less than 30 minutes. The Hong Kong pair is playing under the colors of Rubber Maid.

Six more matches were lined up until last night. Action continues today with the finals and final rankings to be played tomorrow starting at 2 p.m.

The tournament which attracted two teams each from Malaysia and Hong Kong, one from New Zealand and three from the host country offers a total cash prize of $19,000.

The other Philippine teams are made up of Charo Soriano and Alexa Micek for Mane ‘N Tail, and Gretchel Soltones and Lou Anne Latigay for Shop TV.