Foundation opens title repeat bid, thumps USJ-R

MANILA, Philippines - Foundation University served notice of its title-retention bid as it downed University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 21-12, 21-19, yesterday at the start of the 2009 Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit Visayas leg at the Piazza Area of Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Arnel Amadeo, the other half of the team that won the national title last year, paired with Buensuceso Sayson this time as they romped past USJ-R’s pair of Ariel Carumba and Louijei Tigpos.

“We are still adjusting but we are determined to take the title,” said Amadeo, who along with Rolando Agus took last year’s men’s title by beating another Visayan squad in University of Southern Philippines Foundation.

In other men’s action, University of San Carlos (USC) battled back from an opening set loss to turn back Colegio Dela Purisima Concepcion, 12-21, 21-18, 15-12.

USJ-R debuted by beating Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, 21-10, 21-12.

In the women’s side, University of San Agustin (USA) trounced University of St. La Salle-Bacolod (USLS), 21-15, 14-21, 15-12.

Jackelyn Estoquia and Krystle Marie Suizo debuted as new teammates to beat the USLS pair of April Ross Hingpit and Kay Aplasca.

“We only had three weeks to prepare since we had to finish our studies first,” said Estoquia, a 23-year-old Commerce student.

USJ-R beat Central Philippine University, 21-18, 21-13, while USC defeated Foundation University, 21-10, 21-6, in other women’s games in the tournament sponsored by Ipanema, Speedo, Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu, L’Oreal Paris Elseve, Nautilus by PJ Arañador, Mikasa, D’Mall D’Boracay, Tagum Beach Volley Drome at Rotary Park, Hey! Jude Resort, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Crystal Sand Beach Resort.

The top three teams in the Visayas leg will join the six squads which have already booked a place in the national finals in Boracay on May 7-9.

In the men’s division, Far Eastern U, Letran and San Beda College are the Luzon representatives while Mindanao State University-Tawi Tawi, University of Mindanao-Davao and Mahardika Institute of Technology are the teams from Mindanao.

Adamson, FEU and University of the Cordilleras are the Luzon qualifiers in the women’s division while University of Mindanao-Davao, University of Mindanao-Tagum and Holy Cross of Davao College are the Mindanao qualifiers.