PCU bets enter Petron beach volleyball semis

Last year’s Battle of the Champions finalists Kat Villaluz and Arlene Bernardo emerged strong championship contenders in the second leg of the 2007 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament at the sandlot of the Rajah Sulaiman Park in Baywalk, Manila.

Villaluz and Bernardo, playing out of Philippine Christian University, swept their four-game assignment in Group A to become the first pair of campaigners to reach the semifinal round.

The two had a memorable campaign during the Battle of Champions last year when they emerged finalists, challenging veterans Michelle and Sheryl Laborte but falling to a 21-5, 21-14 setback in their best-of-three showdown.

Next to Ateneo duo Patty Taganas and Charo Soriano, who scored two straight triumphs in their opening campaign, Villaluz and Bernardo are the only ones to stay unbeaten.

The Lady Dolphins came off with a 23-21 beating of Suzanne Roces and Abigail Escandor, then fashioned out a 21-7 stopping of Letran duo Bangladesh Pantaleon and Joy Cases.

A 21-8 edging of Diane Distajo and Jennifer Halos, and finally, a 21-13 tripping of Aura Rosello and Stephanie Llaguno completed the winning run of Villaluz and Bernardo.

Despite their setback to PCU’s crack spikers, Rosello and Llaguno stayed in the thick of things in Group A with their 2-1 win-loss record.

Backed by Petron, the two-day event is also supported by Speedo, Mikasa, Asian College of Science and Technology, VMV Armada 70, Gatorade, Mayor Lito Atienza and City of Manila and the Manila Sports Council (MASCO).

Playing out of University of Perpetual Help, Rosello and Llaguno, stayed in contention after they held their ground with a 21-8 win over Distajo and Halos.

The Legaspi sisters, Melissa and Mariel, joined Taganas and Soriano in the search for semis berths in Group B of this volleyball fiesta organized by Tisha Abundo, a former commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.