Cebu teams off to flying starts

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu teams led by reigning men's national champion University of the Visayas (UV) and Southwestern University (SWU) got off to flying starts in the Visayas-Mindanao leg of the 16th Nestea Beach Volley yesterday in Bas Daku, Moalboal south of Cebu.

UV’s Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria, who enjoyed a first round bye, posted one of the fastest wins of the day, needing just a little over 30 minutes to pounce the University of Southern Philippines (USPF) Team B composed of John Michael Ylanan and Gwen Kevenrick Ausen, 21-13,21-15.

On the other hand, SWU manned by Rommel Pepito and Relan Taneo stunned defending regional champion Roelene Inaudito and Jonmar Aguillo from the University of Saint La Salle-Bacolod, 21-17, 21-16. Prior to that, the SWU spikers whipped the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, 21-11, 21-13, to move into the next round.

SWU though faces a tall order next as it goes up against UV.

The University of San Jose- Recoletos Team A of Jade Illut and Jason Uy also stayed alive in this single round robin battle after breaking the hearts of the University of San Carlos in a three-set thriller, 21-11, 21-15, 15-6.

USJ-R’s Team B, however, is already out of the contest after losing to Mindanao State University-Tawi-tawi, 21-19,17-21, 15-13.

USPF also joined SWU, UV and USJ-R in the next round after leading University of Cebu to the exit door via a 23-9, 25-23 decision.

Completing the men’s division’s quarterfinalists are the University of Mindanao-Tagum, Holy Cross and Foundation University-B.

In the women's division, defending champion Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiona Mae Ceballos of Central Philippines University pulled off a lopsided 21-8, 21-8 victory over Iligan Medical Center College’s Sarah Jane Ridad and Suzette Migallos in the second round. CPU will take on USC-B in the stage of the competition.

USC-B of Anne Capinpin and Exel Ignacio dismissed USJ-R’s Team B, 21-11, 21-17.

SWU and USPF-A joined USC-B in the last eight after hurdling their respective assignments.

SWU’s Danika Gendrauli, who is now paired with Raphil Aguilar, kicked out USPF-B’s Neslie Labra and Regine Hermosa, 21-9, 21-12, while USPF's Team A of Apple Saraum and Rochelle Roca overcame a tough challenge by Bohol Institute of Technology-A’s Mary Ann Utub and Analie Cañete to cruise through a 17-21, 21-18, 15-9 victory.

SWU will face MSU next, USPF-A will meet Jose Maria College next, while UNO-R goes up against UMT. UNO-R’s Mary Ruth Docallos and Maria Jossa Sumande survived the toughest match of the day against University of Cebu’s Jocelyn Suquib and Jellie Mae Jorquia, 10-21, 23-21, 23-21, while UMT easily won against USC-A, 21-11, 21-12.

The top 6 in both the men and women’s division will advance to the national finals on April 18 to 20 in Boracay Island. (FREEMAN)