FEU, Ateneo, DLSU tossers take opener

LINGAYEN, Philippines  – Far Eastern University joined powerhouse teams from De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and Ateneo in the winners column after coming up with big wins at the start of the third leg of the 2010 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament here.

Janine Penaranda and Loryvel Faytaren weathered the windy conditions and eked out a 21-11 decision over University of the East rivals Pia Sarmiento and Aurea Francesca Racraquin at the sand-courts of the provincial capitol grounds.

Penaranda needed a variety of shots from the back and front to pull off a decisive 5-0 blast, allowing them to widen a two-point advantage to seven in the ensuing play, 15-8.

The victory enabled Peñaranda and Faytaren to take the early lead with last year’s finalist Sharah So and Khrysette Onishi of Ateneo and La Salle-Dasmariñas bets Yari Yongco and Giselle Bembo in Group B.

Defending champion Jennifer Manzano and her La Salle-Dasmariñas teammate Satchel Senupe survived a close contest with FEU hotshot Shaira Gonzales and Shedd de la Peña to take centerstage in Group A following a 21-19 triumph.

They shared the top spot with Dyrene Rose Benecio and partner Marielle Legaspi and the duo of DLSU-Dasmariñas spikers Eilene Abuel and Hidemi Miyata, who won their matches in other Group A hostilities of this spikefest supported by Speedo, Mikasa, the Sports Development Program of Pangasinan, Fern-Slim, Coca- Cola, Victory Liner and Petron.

Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (second district, Pangasinan) led the ceremonial toss with provincial sports consultant Modesto Operana and Petron representative Kyle Kalaw during the opening rites.

So and Onishi came away with a 21-11 stopping of University of Luzon standouts Rochelle Ramos and Catherine Feliciano, while the 5’10” Yongco and Bembo won over Labrador National High School bets Chloe Mislang and Jacqueline Tentenilla, 21-10.

In Group A, Benecio and Legaspi put away University of Luzon’s Cindy Benitez and Melanie Cabrera, 21-7, while Miyata and Abuel prevailed over UE’ s Alyssa Magallanes and Aurea Racraquin, 21-7.

Penaranda, a banking and finance senior, put the FEU-II ahead on a crosscourt volley and a reception error by their foes, 12-10. She then handed FEU-II the upperhand, 15-10, off her three service winners.

“Nakap-adjust kami sa hangin. Nakuha namin iyung points du’n sa service winners at atake sa harap,” said Penaranda.