PCU, SBC tossers stun seasoned foes

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite , Philippines  – Collegiate standouts from Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas and San Beda College-Alabang surprised their heavily favored rivals with stirring victories yesterday at the start of the 2010 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament’s first leg here.

Anna Alicia Adolfo and new partner Alyanna Marie Gorospe, who recently won a collegiate crown for PCU-Dasmariñas, picked the right moment to launch their offensive as they put away University of the East bets Francesca Crescini and Aimee de la Peña, 21-9, at the newly built sand courts of the De La Salle-Health and Sciences Institute.

They went on to score their second straight victory at the expense of Philippine Women’s University’s Suzanne Navarro and Lucille Pael, 21-8, in this spikefest supported by Mikasa and Speedo.

San Beda College-Alabang tossers Nicole de la Cruz and Anna Carissa Villablanca survived a battle of nerves to post a 27-25 upset win over experienced Ateneo pair Asia Urquico and Jessica Morado.

The two moved into the lead with PCU and UE duo Mary Ann Balmaceda and Jessica Paron, who won over Philippine School of Business Administration spikers Dyrene Rose Benecio and Joan Morata, 21-7.

Petron’s advertising and promotions director Charmaine Canillas, with the assistance of La Salle campus services director James Antonio and organizer Tisha Abundo, made the ceremonial serve.

In other early matches, Ateneo spikers Sharah So and Khryzette Onishi won over San Beda College-Alabang’s Jaymee Yap and Joan Castillo, 21-19, while Polytechnic University of the Philippines’ Joy de Imus and Melanie Lumanlan stopped Benecio and Morata, 21-14.

“Teamwork lang sa loob. Kailangan, alam namin ang game nila. Dahil masyadong malakas ang hangin, hinihinaan din namin ang palo,” said the 5’3” Adolfo.

UE’s Crescini and de la Peña were trying to close in after moving within range, 4-6. But the pair from PCU-Dasmariñas got its bearing under windy conditions, with Adolfo touching off a 5-1 spurt off her crosscourt spike and service ace.

On the other hand, Urquico and Morado lost ground after taking a 20-12 lead. The winds favored them and when De la Cruz unleashed long volleys which allowed them force a 20-all deadlock, and send the game into five more tie-breaks.  

“Nasa tamang position po kami nu’ng huli. Nakuha naming iyung huling point dahil akala nila, wala kaming receive,” said De la Cruz.

They clinched the win off De la Cruz’s crosscourt spike at the net and after Urquico erred with her long return shot.