CPU, UM-Tagum belles enter semis in Nestea beach volley

BORACAY, Philippines  – Central Philippines U and University of Mindanao-Tagum hurdled their respective rivals to arrange an interesting semifinal showdown in women’s play in the 15th Nestea Beach Volley National Finals here yesterday.

Jovelyn Gonzaga, half of the tandem that ruled this event two years ago, and Fiola Mae Ceballos of Visayas leg champion CPU overpowered Jennifer Manzano and Gieselle Bembo of Luzon leg titlist La Salle-Dasmariñas, 21-10, 21-13, to stay in the hunt for the crown the Iloilo-based belles last held in 2010.

UMT’s Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Kay Quilario, who finished third in 2010, likewise made it through the semis as they survived one match point to turn back Big City leg winner Maruja Banaticla and Judy Ann Caballejo of UST, 22-24, 21-15, 16-14.

Both Catubag and Quilario, both graduating criminology students, are out to win the crown they almost won two years ago.

“We had a chance to win it in 2010 but we couldn’t cash in on our chances. We hope to win it this time,” said the 20-year-old Catubag in Filipino.

The Tigresses, who snatched the first set but dropped the second, went up, 14-13, in the decider on a one-hand block by Caballejo off Catubag’s spike.

But Caballejo made three straight errors – including a service error, a faulty spike and a service return – that allowed the Tagum-based Lady Spikers to escape with the victory.

“We had teamwork and we adjusted to wind and didn’t panic,” said Catubag.

Like their women’s teammates, UMT’s Daryl Kim Lapiz and Jefty Amora advanced to the semis with a come-from-behind 17-21, 21-15, 16-14 win over Holy Cross of Davao’s Joel Villonson Jr. and Edmar Flores.

They will face off with John Carlo Lozada and Chris Salvador of Arellano U, the National Capital Region titlists who whisked off Far Eastern U’s Arvin Avila and Karl Ian dela Cruz, 21-16, 21-16.