Fil-Ams set sights on gold in Doha

Fil-Am beach volleyball stars Diane Pascua and Heidi Ilustre said the other day they’re grateful for the opportunity to play for the Philippines in the 23rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and raring to wear the national colors again in the Doha Asian Games next year.

Pascua and Ilustre delivered the only medal in volleyball, beach or indoor, for the Philippines in the just-concluded Games. They beat Indonesia’s Timy Rahayu and Devota Rahawarin, 21-19, 21-16, for the bronze medal in the women’s consolation match at the University of St. La Salle gym in Bacolod last Sunday.

The Fil-Ams wound up with a 6-1 overall record. Their six wins came in straight sets at the expense of Vietnam, 21-12, 21-19, Malaysia 1, 21-8, 21-14, Malaysia 2, 21-13, 21-15, Indonesia 1, 21-19, 21-16, Indonesia 2, 21-15, 21-11 and the Philippines 1, 21-13, 21-15. The only setback was a three-setter to eventual champion Thailand 1, 21-12, 14-21, 15-9, in the semifinals.

The Philippine men’s team of Parley Tupaz and Rhovyl Verayo wasn’t as lucky.

Tupaz and Verayo lost to Indonesia 2’s Andy Ardiyansay and Supriadi, 21-15, 21-13, in the semifinals then bowed to Thailand 1’s Sonthi Bunrueang and Borworn Yungtin, 21-15, 15-21, 15-9, in the consolation match for the bronze.

In the quarterfinals, Tupaz and Verayo eliminated Thailand 2, 14-21, 21-16, 15-10, to book a semis ticket. The other Filipino team of Fil-Ams Justin Schnor and Chad Mowrey crashed out of contention, bowing to Thailand 1 in a heartbreaker, 21-11, 12-21, 15-8.

Tony Boy Liao, chairman of the Beach Volleyball Council of the Asian Volleyball Confederation, said with more experience playing together, Pascua and Ilustre will be a team to reckon with in the coming Asian Games.

"I told them not to be disappointed because they didn’t make it to the finals," said Liao. "This was their coming out party. They practiced together for only two weeks and were a set short of qualifying for the finals. Their chemistry was evident. The team has the potential of winning a gold in the Asian Games."