Tadeo-Cu leads beach volley winners

MANILA, Philippines - Letran-2’s Justine Mae Tadeo and Melissa Cu pulled off a 23-21 win over Amanda Christina Isada and Karen Joyce del Rosario of UP at the start of the 10th Petron Ladies beach volleyball tournament’s first leg at the De La Salle Health and Science Campus in Dasmariñas, Cavite yesterday.

Tadeo and Cu, both marketing management juniors, battled their rivals through 10 deadlocks, the last at 21 before the former struck with a pair of winners to stun the fancied UP tandem and join last year’s Battle of the Champions winners Jessica Paron and Francislyn Cais of UE in the early Group B lead.

The UE bets clobbered La Salle-Dasmariñas standouts Iari Yongco and Mariel Desengano, 21-11, in the tournament backed by Mikasa Balls, Speedo and DLS-Health and Science Institute.

Cais and Paron held their ground against their taller rivals, keeping the lanky Yongco pinned down with their long spikes and service winners.

National indoor team player Jennifer Manzano and teammate Giselle Bembo of La Salle-Dasma stamped their class as they routed UP bets Pauline Genido and Liezchel Tiu, 21-12, in Group A.

Joining the Lady Patriots in the lead are Letran-1’s Gena Andaya and Sarah Jane Espelita, who got past San Beda-2’s Kim de la Vega and Debbie Dultra, 21-10.

The champion and runner-up of the first leg will advance to the Battle of the Champions late this year in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.