FEU spikers cop Luzon beach title

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U won the survival of the fittest yesterday when it forced Letran into submission during their finals match in the Luzon leg of Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit.

Joshua Alcarde and rookie Jan Paglinawan of FEU took the first set, 21-19, and were ahead in the second, 6-3, when Joseph Ramos of Letran suffered cramps on both legs.

Ramos looked unfit to continue and teammate Eden Canlas agreed to give up the fight, and hand FEU its third straight Luzon crown before an appreciative crowd at the SM Mall of Asia Bay Area.

But despite their failure to finish the match, the Letran pair will still move on to the Boracay stage on May 6-9 along with FEU and third placer San Beda.

Adamson clinched the women’s title with a 21-16, 19-21, 15-12 win over FEU. Also making it to Boracay was the University of the Cordilleras, which placed third.

The Mindanao leg is set March 26-28 at the Tagum Beach Volley Drome at Rotary Park, and the Visayas leg slated April 16-18 at Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.

The top three men’s and women’s teams from the Visayas and Mindanao will also make it to Boracay where the champion teams will receive P100,000 each.

Alcarde and Paglinawan made it to the finals following a big win over San Beda’s Leonel Laraya and James Lorca, 21-12, 21-17.

The FEU girls followed suit, beating Philippine Christian U’s Chona Cabaral and Dy-Ann Bisente, 17-21, 21-15, 15-7, in the third and last day of the Luzon leg.

Letran, the reigning NCAA men’s champions in beach volley, also advanced to Boracay with a 21-19, 21-17 win over Gabriel Usman and James Roa of PCU.

Letran skipped last year’s event but has made its presence felt this year, winning its first four matches in the men’s side before fatigue, caused by the intense heat, caught up with Ramos.

Also advancing to Boracay stage were Angela Benting and Lizlee Gata of Adamson, 20-22, 21-17, 15-12 winners over Cindy Benitez and Michelle Remo of University of the Cordilleras.

San Beda’s Leonel Laraya and James Lorca stunned the PCU pair in the battle for third place, 21-16, 11-21, 15-10. – Abac Cordero