Swimmers lead Niños' early assault

MOALBOAL, Philippines — Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiola Mae Ceballos powered Central Philippines University (CPU) of Iloilo to back-to-back titles in the women's division, while Roelene Inaudito and Kerwin Reje vaulted the University of St. La Salle (USLS)-Bacolod to the men's championship as the out-of-towners scored a rare sweep in the Visayas leg of 15th Nestea Beach Volley yesterday at the HK Beach Resort here.

Amid heavy rains and strong winds, Gonzaga and Ceballos stormed their way to a masterful demolition of Southwestern University's Danika Yolanda Gendrauli and Lori Mae Layno in straight sets, 21-15, 21-17.

“The heavy rains really affected our performance, but we’re glad that we survived the challenge," said Gonzaga, a member of the Philippine Team that placed third during the Olympic qualifying with partner Nerissa Bautista in Indonesia.

All is not lost though for Gendrauli and Layno as they still advanced to the National Finals set from April 19 to 21 in Boracay Island along with Sheryl June Denila and Patty Jane Orendain of USLS-Bacolod, which snared the third place honors after frustrating Chona Gesulga and Suzette Panis of the University of San Carlos (USC) in straight sets, 21-14, 16-21, 15-7.             

“It's really our dream to play in Boracay and we're happy that we made it. We will just do our best and improve our performance come the national finals," said Gendrauli.

In the men’s bracket, USLS-Bacolod’s Inaudito and Reje waded through rough waters before repulsing the hard-fighting University of the Visayas (UV) tandem of Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria, 21-19, 21-18

USLS-Bacolod and UV will be joined into grand finale by the rookie duo of Jason Uy and Jade Illut from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R).

Uy and Illut booked a trip to Boracay after they dispatched USC's Kennith Bensig and Bon Vincent Estrera, 21-15, 22-20.

“I did not expect that they would make it to the top three knowing they are just rookies," said USJ-R head coach Grace Antigua. But with the determination they showed even if they’re first timers was more than enough for me to trust them and be proud of them," added the Cebu Sports Hall of Famer. - THE FREEMAN