UP, Palawan shine in Petron beach volley

Puerto Princesa City – Spikers from the University of the Philippines and from Puerto Princesa City got off to strong starts as they brushed past experienced rivals  at the start of the second leg of the 2008 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball at the sand-courts of the Baywalk area here.

UP Lady Maroon bets Danielle Michiko Castaneda and Leah Acepcion, and their schoolmates Carmela Lopez and Rebecca Gail Montero both eked out a pair of wins to grab the lead in their respective divisions of this four-leg beach volley extravaganza backed by Petron.

Playing before a big crowd of Palawenos, Palarong Pambansa standouts Angeliene Heredia and Roxanne Pontelo, playing out of Inagawan National High School, kept Asian College of Science and Technology bets Jesy Dumagat and Erika del Valle on their toes in a stunning 21-14 upset win.

Salve Jaravez and Jinky Garraez, a much older pair of Palawan campaigners, later frustrated Philippine School of Business Administraton stalwarts Roxanne Naral and Dyrene Benecio, 21-11, in this tournament also backed by Speedo, Mikasa and the City of Puerto Princesa.

Their big wins put all four teams in contention for the top purse of P10,000 and slots in the Battle of Champions at the end of the year.

Lady Maroons Lopez and Montero fought their way to the top of Group A after they first prevailed over Heredia and Pontelo, 21-10, before holding their ground against San Sebastian’s Russell Jalbuna and Princess Elaine Cruz, 21-17.

The 5’10” Castaneda and Acepcion followed through with a 21-8 crushing of Palawenos Jaravez and Garraez, and a 23-21 shocker over ACSAT veterans Sheena Rose Teves and Raisalyn Noleal.

Heredia and Pontelo quickly recovered from the initial loss to Lopez and Montero, and moved to second at 2-1 in Group A after thwarting Feati’s Jennifer Peralta and Maricel Nano, 21-18, and the duo of Dumagat and del Valle.

“Nu’ng unang laro ay nahiya kami dahil first time namin. Pero nakuha na rin namin ang game nu’ng mga sumunod na laro,” said Heredia, who was cheered on by Puerto Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Vice Mayor Lucilo Bayron.      

Jaravez and Garraez also picked up the pace after bowing to Castaneda and Acepcion. After beating Naral and Benecio, they claimed a second straight win at the expense of Philippine School of Business Administration’s Janina Medina and Jenny Escalora, 21-9.

“Napagod sila (Naral and Benecio) sa huli. Dinala namin sa harap ang bola,” said Garraez, a varsity standout from Palawan State University.