SWU teams post second wins in M. Lhuillier beach volley tilt

The Southwestern University (SWU) teams of coach Janeth Ponte hammered separate foes to remain undefeated after two games in the second playdate of the 2nd M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala All-Ladies Beach Volley Open yesterday at the Wiggy’s Beach Resort in Liloan, Cebu.

Florianne Gutierrez and Jannelle Tabio of SWU Team A slaughtered the lackadaisical Arthro Kontra Arthritis tandem of Marites Natad and Christine Rose Bohol, 25-4, while Jessa Satina and Lori Mae Layno of SWU Team B blew away Lynette Auza and Renicael Berdon of RTM, 25-14.

The “Darling of the Crowd” awardee Tabio settled for the first  runner-up honors in last year’s inaugural season of the M. Lhuillier beach volley. Her partner then was Natad, who is now with the Arthro side.

Thus, the SWU squads joined defending champion Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Armie Igot of the Raffy Briones-mentored University of the Visayas (UV) on top of the leader board with similar 2-0 win-loss records.

On the other hand, the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) of coach Grace Antigua, a Cebu Sports Hall of Famer, split their games yesterday.

Former RP Youth members Genie Sabas and Michelle Simbajon of USJ-R Team A clobbered Marissa Lagancia and Mechelle Matuguina of Heartvit, but the Josenians’ Team B manned by Aina “Popsie” Laroga and Joy Bonita dropped a heart-breaking 24-26 decision to Yvonne Verano and Danika Gendrauli of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF).

The month-long competition organized by M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) executive director Eddie B. Ybañez and supervised by the Cebu Volleyball Federation (CVF) through its president Raul Gonzales follows a single round robin format in the elimination round.

The two teams per bracket will advance into the crossover semifinals. The winners will then clash for the championship.

Aside from trophies and M. Lhuillier freebies, the champion will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will take home P3,000 and P2,000, respectively.