Ateneo, UP, De La Salle reach Petron volley semis

PUROK Marcela, Lingayen , Philippines   – Ateneo standouts Asia Urquico and Sharah So and University of the Philippines’ Amanda Christine Isada and Lorraine Chua scored decisive victories to advance to the semifinals of the 2009 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament’s third leg yesterday at the beach front of the Purok Marcela Resort here.

They will challenge the championship aspirations of two powerhouse teams from De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, which eased out their rivals in their respective brackets.

The 19-year-old Urquico and So waylaid UP bets Luechel Tiu and Ana Maria del Mundo, 21-13, for their third win in four games for a berth in the semifinal round of the two-day event backed by Petron, Speedo and Mikasa, with the backing of Pagcor, Coca-Cola, Victory Liner, Tanduay Rhum, Orica Phils., Inc. Dragon Fireworks, Inc. Mandarin Chemicals, Trust Trade Inc. Izumo Builders, Inc.

The Ateneo bets will dispute a championship berth with La Salle-Dasma’s Regina Tungol and Wensh Tiu, who won their four-game assignment in Group B.

UP’s Isada and Chua avoided a complicated tie with Philippine School of Business Administration pair Dyrene Rose Benecio and Jamaica Lauzon with their 21-17 conquest of La Salle-Dasmariñas aspirants Hidemi Miyata and Nina Lopez to finish the elims with a 3-1 card.

The UP tandem will clash in the semifinals with the La Salle-Dasma duo of 5’8” April Almaden and Jennifer Manzano, who grabbed the first semis seat following a five-game sweep.

The games were also held with the support of Philippine National Police Gen. Leopoldo Bataoil, the Director for Police Operations (Northern Luzon), and his deputy. General Francisco Manalo Jr., together with Lingayen Councilor Ramon Bataoil.

Powerful serves from both Urquico and So enabled the Lady Eagles to break free from a 9-all deadlock and take a 14-9 spread.

“Hininaan namin ang mga serves namin. Nakakarga kasi ang bola, kaya kailangang bantayan mo lagi ang hangin,” said So, an information technology sophomore.

The champion and runner-up of the Petron volley third leg will automatically clinch seats to the Battle of the Champions at season’s end, most likely to be held in Puerto Princesa, Palawan .

Chua unloaded a pair of smashes to the backend of the court, turning the tables around in the Lady Maroons’ favor after they shattered a 16-all tie.”We struggled with our serves. So, we relied on our placement shots,” said Isada.