MANILA, Philippines — Local bets Jen Eslapor and Floremel Rodriguez bowed to a taller and world-ranked Teegan Van Gunst and Kimberly Hildreth of the United States, 21-15, 21-14, in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge main draw yesterday at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City, Laguna.
Eslapor and Rodriguez fought toe-to-toe in the early goings but ran out of steam against the fancied American duo ranked No. 80 in the world.
Rodriguez (11 points) and Eslapor (8) dropped to a 0-1 record in Pool F of the women’s main draw with two games left in their schedule.
Van Gunst stamped her class with 22 points as Team USA finished in the Top 8 to automatically qualify to the 24-team main draw of the biggest beach volleyball event ever hosted by the country through Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.