Negrense belles emerge PSL beach volley champs

MANILA, Philippines — Abanse Negrense A’s Alexa Polidario and Erjane Magdato stunned veteran campaigners DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia of Sta. Lucia A, 21-15, 21-17, to rule the Gatorade-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup in Subic, Zambales yesterday.

Flaunting chemistry as long-time teammates from University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, the young Polidario-Magdato duo did not drop a single set from the pool play, completing a dominant campaign in the first volleyball tournament amid the pandemic.

“It’s a blessing to win this gold medal despite being a first-timer in a league of this caliber. It’s the reason why we travelled all the way here. The journey was worth it,” said Polidario.

“We can’t explain our happiness. I think we just poured everything on the court for this championship,” said Magdato.

Abanse Negrense A topped Pool A then dispatched Toby’s Sports and Sta. Lucia B in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, in the three-day tilt held in coordination with the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and Inter-Agency Task Force Region III.

There’s no stopping Polidario and Magdato even against Sta. Lucia B, which was considered the favorite being a back-to-back PSL Challenge Cup silver medalist.

Meanwhile, Abanse Negrense B’s Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva secured the bronze medal with a 21-13, 22-20 victory over Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete of Sta. Lucia B.

F2 Logistics’ Jennymar Senares and Kyla Gallego topped United Auctioneers’ Theresa Ramas and Ella Viray, 21-14, 21-11, for fifth spot.

Toby’s Sports (Javen Sabas and Jonah San Pedro) salvaged a seventh-place finish.