2nd M. Lhuillier Beach Volley: SWU Team A now 4-0

Strong title contender Southwestern University (SWU) Team A of coach Janeth Ponte blew away the MLKP belles to extend its winning streak to four in the 2nd M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala All-Ladies Beach Volley Open over the weekend at the Wiggy’s Beach Resort in Liloan, Cebu.

The fancied tandem of Janelle Tabio and Florianne Gutierrez powered SWU Team A to a 25-11 crushing of MLKP’s Kennette Garces and Sarah Miculob to take the solo lead with an immaculate 4-0 slate.

University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Team A of coach Grace Antigua and Arthro Kontra Arthritis of coach Thelma Datig also pounded separate foes to kept their respective championship campaigns in motion.

Former RP Youth members Genie Sabas and Michelle Simbajon of USJ-R Team A easily dismantled Inagayan, 25-12, while the Atan Guardo-sponsored Arthro duo of Marites Natad and Christine Rose Bohol slammed Abellana National School (ANS), 25-17.

USJ-R Team A and Arthro Kontra Arthritis now hold similar 3-1 win-loss records. Inyagan fell to 1-3, while ANS suffered its fourth defeat in as many games.

In the other match, Mechelle Matuguina and Marissa Lagancia of Heartvit finally barged into the win column courtesy of a 25-22 victory in come-from-behind fashion over Erika Camille Verano and Herlene Ybarita of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Team A.

Matuguina and Lagancia rallied back from six points down to deck the upset axe on USPF Team A and snap out of its three-game losing skid.

Meanwhile, the exciting M. Lhuillier beach volley action takes a break this weekend in observance of the Easter Sunday. Games will resume on March 29 and 30 still at the venue.

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, the month-long tilt follows a single round robin format.

The top two teams per bracket at the end of the classification round will advance into the crossover seminals. The winners will then clash for the title.

Aside from trophies, the champion will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will pocker P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. – EBV