Foundation, St. Francis gain q’finals

Boracay – Foundation U of Dumaguete and St. Francis of Assisi swept their two matches yesterday to barge into the quarterfinal round in the men’s division of the 2007 Nestea Beach Volleyball Championship on the white sands fronting Hey Jude in this scenic paradise island.

The tall, power-hitting duo of Rolando Agus and Arnel Madeo pulled off contrasting victories, hacking a 20-22, 21-11, 15-13 decision over Philippine Christian U’s Eric John Genil and Alvin Medina and coasting to a 21-17, 21-18 win over Capitol U’s Orpheus Cubillas and Kiven Escobal.

"They played really well but they need to play harder and better in the next round for us to make the semifinals," said Foundation U coach Dwight Esenio Sun, who has steered the school to eight straight Boracay appearances including a title win seven years back, in Filipino.

Michael Manuel and Harold Pavia of St. Francis walloped James Ryan Rivera and Ronald Melencion of University of Southern Philippines Foundation, 21-17, 21-16, before turning back Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College, 21-11, 17-21, 15-12, to likewise remain unscathed.

The win not only sent Foundation U and St. Francis to the quarterfinals along with regional champs Far Eastern U of Luzon, University of San Carlos of Visayas and Mindanao State U-Tawi-Tawi, who were also seeded for topping the qualifiers, but also set them up against each other in an interesting duel in the Final 8.

"We’re happy to make the quarterfinals, we hope we’ll continue to play well," said the 22-year-old Pavia.

USPF and Capitol also made it through today’s next phase with wins over TTRAC, 21-18, 21-15, and PCU, 21-19, 22-20, respectively.

The last and final slot in the quarters will go to either PCU or TTRAC depending on their quotient score in this three-day event using a full play double-round elimination format.

The event is backed by Speedo, Mikasa, Villa de Oro Boracay Beach Resort Hotel, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, Boracay Gold Crowne Club, Microtel Inns and Suites, Hey! Jude, La Salle-Greenhills, Schering Plough Coppertone and Crystal Sand.

Carren Desierto and Dolly Penaflorida of Holy Cross of Davao and Maricel Cabus and Janice Arnaiz of University of Mindanao defeated their respective opponents to close in on berths in the next round in the women’s side.

Holy Cross whipped Marites Natad and Janelle Tabio of three-time champion Southwestern U, 21-15, 21-17, while UM walloped Janez Armie Igot and Jusabelle Brillo of University of Visayas, 21-13, 21-19, to boost their stocks.

SWU earlier slammed Sherrilyn Carillo and Jane Jarin of Lyceum, 21-12, 21-17, while UV prevailed over Hannah Suarez and Rissa Jane Laguilles of Adamson, 21-15, 21-19, to bolster their campaigns.