PCU, Rizal Tech prevail in Petron volley opener

MANILA, Philippines - Standouts from Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas and the Rizal Technological University came up with big plays to steer their respective teams to victory yesterday in the start of the first leg of the 2011 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Returning finalists Alyanna Marie Gorospe and Ana Alicia Adolfo of PCU displayed a steadier pace as they waylaid RTU ace Julienne Abat and her new partner Marilie Borras, 21-17, at the sand courts of the University of the East-Caloocan campus.

The win put Gorospe and Adolfo in the early lead in Group B of this spikefest supported by Petron, Mikasa Balls and Speedo.

Jessa Aranda, who took the runner-up honors with Rizal Tech teammate Julienna Abat in the recent National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) competitions, came away with a 21-18, beating of University of the East bets Krycel Cueva and Francislyn Cais right at their foes’ home turf.

The 18-year-old Aranda and Abat used their power serves to overcome a 5-9 deficit and gain the upperhand in Group A.

They now share the Group A lead with San Sebastian-Cavite’s Jaizel Cervantes and April Lyn Reyes, who warded off La Salle-Dasmariñas rookies Iumi Yongco and Mariel Desengano, 21-11.

After Cueva and Cais took a four-point lead at 9-5, Aranda unleashed three service winners en route to a 12-9 upperhand.

They widened their advantage to five at 14-9 after the return plays of Cueva and Cais went out of bounds.

In the PCU-RTU game, Adolfo had three service winners which allowed her team to shatter a 3-all deadlock. The PCU tossers went on the offensive that had them pulling away at 11-3.

 The top two teams get automatic berths to the Petron Volleyball Battle of Champions late this year, gathering past champions of the series in a grand finale that will finally determine the true queens of the sand-courts.