Alas spikers bow to Chinese

MANILA, Philippines — Olympians and continental champions from China proved too much for the Alas Pilipinas women, marching on to the quarterfinals of the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships yesterday at the Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa.

Xia Xinyi and Xue Chen, Paris Olympians and winners of the Asian Seniors last year, moved on to the round of eight separately as they seek the title with new partners.

Xia and Wang Jingzhe turned back the spirited challenge from Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda, 21-13, 21-8, to advance.

Xue, an Olympic bronze medalist and former world champion, also stayed on track in her bid for another title as she and Zeng Jinjin defeated Alas Pilipinas’ teen tandem of Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara, 21-14, 21-11.

Eslapor and Orillaneda got off to a flyer and led 5-3, but ran out of steam against the grizzled Chinese spikers.