Fil-Ams salvage bronze in beach volley

BACOLOD CITY–The Philippines’ ladies beach volleyball team of Fil-Ams Diane Pascua and Heidi Ilustre crushed Indonesia’s Timy Rahayu and Devota Rahawarin, 21-19, 21-16, to bag the bronze in a consolation match at the University of St. La Salle gym here yesterday afternoon.

Thailand bagged the gold and silver medals with its first team beating its second squad, 21-12, 21-19, in the finals, while Indonesia also made it a 1-2 finish in the men’s side with second squad repulsing its first team, 21-16, 17-21, 15-12. Thailand took the bronze.

In the morning semis, Pascua and Ilustre lost a three-setter to the favored Thai tandem of Kamoltip Kulna and Jarunee Sanok, 21-12, 14-21, 15-9, while Rahayu and Rahawarin were beaten by the other Thai pair of Yupa Phokongploy and Usa Tenpaksee, 21-19, 21-16.

Pascua and Ilustre were recruited by Los Angeles talent scout Jim Apelar to play for the Philippines. Although they had never played together before, there was instant chemistry between them. Both 5-10 volleybelles said they’re excited to wear the national colors again at the Asian Games in Doha, Qatar, next year.

It was a rousing debut for the pretty Fil-Ams. They powered their way to five straight wins before the semifinal loss to Thailand. Pascua and Ilustre beat Vietnam, 21-12, 21-19, Malaysia 1, 21-8, 21-14, Indonesia 2, 21-15, 21-11, Malaysia 2, 21-13, 21-15 and Philippines 1, 21-13, 21-15 on the way to the semis. — Joaquin Henson