UV’s Brillo and Igot retain title in M. Lhuillier beach volleyball

Defending champion University of the Visayas (UV) recovered from a first-set drawback to fend off the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) Team A in three sets and retain its crown 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 formidable UV tandem of Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Armie Igot had a tentative and erratic start and eventually bowed to former RP Youth members Michelle Simbajon and Genie Sabas of USJ-R Team A in the first set, 15-21.

With their backs pinned against the wall, the Raffy Briones-mentored Visayanians summoned all the strength and experience they could muster to charge back in the second set in lopsided fashion, 25-12, to forge a rubbermatch.

It was an all-UV show in the deciding set, with Brillo and Igot breezing though a 15-8 victory.

“My players fought hard and gave their best shot in the finals. They deserved to win the championship. I’m also very happy that they’ve proven who really are the region’s beach volley queens,” said UV coach Raffy Briones.

“We’ve learned a lot from our participation in the tournament and it’s a good preparation for us in the upcoming Nestea beach volley,” added Briones.

Brillo and Igot topped the inaugural M. Lhuillier beach volley last year by drubbing Southwestern University (SWU). They went on to dominate the prestigious Nestea Beach Volley Season 10 last summer in Boracay Island.

In the battle for third place, Janelle Tabio and Florianne Gutierrez of SWU Team A outlasted Marites Natad and Christine Rose Bohol of Arthro Kontra Arthritis, 25-17.

Aside from trophies, Brillo and Igot of UV got P5,000, while Simbajon and Sabas pocketed P3,000. Tabio and Gutierrez went home with P2,000.

The five-week tournament, which ended up with flying colors once again, was organized by the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) through the efforts of its executive director Eddie B. Ybañez. The games were under the supervision of Cebu Volleyball Federation (CVF) president Raul Gonzales.