Pinay bets bow to top-ranked Japanese

MANILA, Philippines — Filipina aces Sisi Rondina and Dzi Gervacio pushed top seeded Japanese Tanaka Shinako and Fujii Sakurako to the limit in the quarterfinals before conceding a 13-21,21-17, 11-15 setback and bowing out of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open yesterday at SM Sands by the Bay.

First-timers Rondina and Gervacio, the last Phl bets standing, gallantly battled the veteran pair of Tanaka, 42, and Sakurako, 27, with the home crowd rallying them on but inexperience pulled them down in the homestretch as they kissed their semis bid goodbye.

“It was a tough match. I know Tanaka personally, I played with her two, three years ago (with Petron) and I know she’s very mature and beach volleyball is now her main sport. And she has a very talented partner,” said Gervacio.

“Top seed ang nakalaban namin, at least na-stretch namin to three sets (We played the top seeds but we’re able to stretch them to three sets) ,” she added. 

After conceding the first set, the Pinay belles adjusted to the Japanese’s tactics of sending soft shots to the left side and seized a 16-11 cushion in the second en route to forcing a decider. Tanaka and Sakurako opened a 13-9 cushion in the third but Phl pulled two back on Rondina’s hit and lucky ace. An over-receive that landed in Phl’s court put Japan at match point and the Japanese sealed it with Tanaka’s ace.

“Proud pa rin kami na kahit paano, kinaya naming sumabay pero kinapos lang (We’re proud we’re able to play toe-to-toe with them and just fell short),” said Rondina.

Rondina and Gervacio made it to the afternoon’s quarterfinal play after upstaging the tall Canadian pair of Megan Nagy and Caleigh Cruickshank in the morning Round-of-12, 21-17, 21-17.

Tagum’s Lot Catubag and Karen Quilario just fell short of a quarters berth after yielding a heartbreaking 36-34, 23-25, 15-17 loss to reigning Asian U18 queens Thatsarida Singcheua and Pawarun Chantawichai of Thailand in a marathon Round-of-12 match that saw Catubag cramping in the finish.

Rondina and Gervacio’s quarterfinal stint was a big achievement for a greenhorn crew. 

“HIndi ko talaga inexpect na malayo ang mararating namin kasi ako (I didn’t expect to get this far because) personally I haven’t played internationally and I know matatangkad kalaban but noong nakalaban ang USA, sabi ko mukhang may pag-asa tayo (our opponents are taller but when we faced USA, I realized we have a chance) and we were just banking on that. Focused one game at a time,” said Gervacio.

Rondina and Gervacio kicked off their campaign with a 21-12, 21-16 reversal over Americans Lindsey Fuller and Kaley Melville in Group D and though they bowed to third seed Paula Soria and Maria Belen Carro of Spain, 20-22, 21-23, they still advanced to the next round versus the Canadians.