Foundation duo seeks title repeat

BORACAY, Philippines – The battle for beach volley supremacy begins today with Foundation University going all-out for a repeat in the men’s division while a wide-open race looms in the women’s side of the Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit here.

Action in the semifinal round unfurls on this island paradise with 18 teams, which survived the grueling regional elims fighting it out for spots in the championship of this annual gathering of the country’s top collegiate teams.

Arnel Amadeo and Buensuceso Sayson of Foundation U are all pumped up to retain the championship in the men’s division but they are expected to find their hands full against a slew of top-class rivals led fellow Visayan leg qualifiers University of Visayas’ Jade Becaldo and Precioso Bendijo and University of San Jose Recoletos’ Ariel Carumba and Louijei Tipgos.

The Big City teams in Joshua Alcarde and Jan Berlin Paglinawan of Far Eastern U, Eden Canlas and Erickson Joseph Ramos of Letran and Leonel Evan Laraya and James Christian Lorca of San Beda are also keen in bringing the beach volley crown back to Manila.

The southern spikers are also fancied to defy the odds with Halim Khan and Mohammad Reza Asakil of Mindanao State University Tawi-Tawi, Paul John Saraga and Galileo Mascardo of University of Mindanao-Davao and Maharlika Institute of Technology’s Mursaid Hadjirul and Mohammad Ali Maih in the list of contenders.

In women’s action, defending champion Southwestern U will not be around after being dethroned early in the eliminations by Visayan qualifiers University of Southern Philippines’ Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum; Bacolod City bets University of Negros Occidental’s Julie Anne Billote and Ruby Rose Bordon and Iloilo’s University of San Agustin’s Jackelyn Estoquia and Krystle Marie Suizo.

Luzon is represented by Adamson’s Angela Benting and Lizlee Ann Gata, FEU’s Anna Camille Abanto and Marigail Tolentino and University of Cordilleras’ Cindy Benitez and Mary Ann Biay while Mindanao’s hopes for top honors are in the hands of UM-Davao’s Janice Arnaiz and Jennifer Conde, UM-Tagum’s Lourdilyn Catubag and Jestine Carla Gonzales and Holy Cross of Davao College’s Aiza Armacion and Mykah Ramos.

Up for grabs are the P100,000 champion’s purse while the second and third placers will get P65,000 and P35,000, respectively.

The Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit ‘09 is sponsored by Ipanema, Speedo, Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu, L’Oréal Paris Elsève, Nautilus by PJ Arañador, Mikasa, D’Mall D’Boracay, Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park, Hey! Jude Resort and La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel.

For details, log on to www.nestea.com.ph.