SWU belles fourth title bid derailed

Southwestern University’s bid for a record fourth straight title in the women’s division of the Nestea Beach Volley Championships went up in smoke yesterday.

After dropping their first assignment last Tuesday, Marites Natad and Hazel Pinero split their two matches at the La Salle Greenhills sandcourt and kissed their hopes goodbye with a 1-2 slate.

Southwestern lost to University of San Agustin, 25-12, then bounced back with a 25-12 win over University of Iloilo only to absorb a painful 25-15 defeat against University of Southern Philippines.

"It was really tough this time," said Natad who teamed up with Joreen Sanchez in winning the title and the P100,000 top prize in Boracay last year.

But Sanchez failed to join Natad in the trip to Manila after she injured her right knee a few weeks ago. Pinero, a bubbly rookie, was the last-minute replacement.

"We hardly practiced together so it showed in our matches here," added Natad, referring to Pinero who tried hard but failed to live up to expectations.

With Southwestern out of the picture, Visayas women’s teams who advanced to the Boracay semis and finals on May 4 to 6 are San Agustin (3-0), UV (2-0), USP (3-1) and University of San Jose Recoletos (2-1).

In the men’s side, earning slots to the next round are Foundation (3-0), USJR (2-0), University of San Carlos (3-1) and University of Negros Occ. Recoletos (3-1).

Luzon teams already assured of slots to Boracay are reigning champion St. Benilde, 1999 winner FEU, Adamson and St. Francis in the men’s division, and 2002 champion Adamson, St. Benilde, Letran and University of Baguio in the distaff side.

Teams from Mindanao will dispute the Boracay slots today also at La Salle Greenhills. There are a total of 16 teams that will vie for the four men’s and four women’s slots to the next round.

Drawing the attention yesterday was the women’s pair from University of San Agustin, beating Foundation, 25-23, to become the first team to advance with a perfect 3-0 record.

"The teams that we beat are really strong. Maybe we’re just lucky," said the 20-year-old Nerissa Bautista, who at 5-foot-9 is probably the tallest female player in the field.She teammed up Krista Dolendo.

The event is sponsored by Speedo, MTV, Power Shot, Hey Jude, Mikasa, Cebu Pacific, Seventeen, D-Mall, Villa de Oro, Club Ten, Schering-Plough Coppertone, Crystal Sand Resort, ClicktheCity.com, Boracay Gold Crowne Club, Bantay Kalikasan ABS-CBN Foundation, Nautilus by PJ Aranador and La Salle Greenhills.