Alas off to slow start

MANILA, Philippines — Alas Pilipinas suffered a double blow at the start of the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships with two teams suffering straight-sets losses yesterday at the Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa.

Iran’s Salemiinjehboroun Bahman and Khakizadeh Abolhassan overpowered Ronniel Rosales and Edwin Tolentino of the Philippines, 21-8, 21-10 in the men’s qualification tournament.

Fifteen teams are battling it out for the four open spots in the 24-team main draw of the competition hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara, also president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation.

Indonesia’s Kaize Josephine Selvina Anasthasya and Melinda Novita Sari Devi then took down Alexa Polidario and Jen Gaviola, 23-21, 21-15 of Alas in the women’s main draw.