San Carlos lasses stun SSC rivals

University of San Carlos-Cebu 1 stole the limelight from defending champion San Sebastian College 1, hacking out a 12-11 upset yesterday to barge into the quarterfinals of the Nestea Beach Volleyball University Challenge at the CCP Complex.

Displaying grace under pressure, Maricel Gitgit and Marie Cherry Montalbo pulled the rug from under the fancied pair of Sheryl Tumayao and Jennifer Buhawe.

Gitgit, half of the team which placed second in the 1999 staging of this event sponsored by Nestea Ice Tea, unleashed a power spike that won it for the USC-Cebu 1 squad, which took a commanding 8-3 lead yet still flirted with disaster.

Despite the heartbreaking setback, SSC 1 has another shot at the quarterfinals versus the winner of the Adamson University 2-Foundation University of Dumaguete 2 match which was being played at presstime.

Adamson 2’s Mercedita Matira and Melanie Vasco outlasted the pair of Kimberly Gendrauli and Garneth Fernandez of USC-Cebu 2, 12-7, while Foundation 2’s Marisol Belonghilot and Cherie Mae Boladola survived the gritty Southwestern University-Cebu 2 pair of Maricel Gituit and Melanie Mariaca, 12-8.

Vastly-improved De La Salle University 1 and darkhorse University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, on the other hand, boosted their bids in the men’s group after downing their respective foes.

DLSU’s Michael Maglonzo and Johnny Patrona eked out a 12-11 squeaker over University of San Agustin-Iloilo’s Vic Patrona and Anthony Robles while USLS-Bacolod 1’s Arturo Villena and Virgilio Reantuco edged out Southwestern University-Cebu’s Ronaldo Acojedo and Kareem Datig, 12-9, to get a shot at the quarters.

The event is supported by Speedo, Asian Spirit, Westin Philippine Plaza, Mikasa, Milo, Nescafe Frothe, Dunkin Donuts, Astrong-O-Sol, Pinoymania.com, and Boracay resorts Galaxy, The Club 10 Beach Resort, and Alyssa Resort. – Joey Villar