Elite cast vies in Petron volley

MANILA, Philippines - Three elite pairs made up of spikers from La Salle-Dasmariñas and Rizal Technological University will spice up the first leg of the 11th Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball tournament this weekend.

Last year’s first-leg winner Giselle Bembo is back with a new partner when action begins at 8 a.m. on Sunday at the sand-court of the De La Salle Health Science Institute campus in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Bembo won the crown last year with outgoing DLSU-Dasmariñas teammate Jennifer Manzano. This year, she’s back to dispute the first-leg crown with new partner Maribeth Lara.

“We are looking forward to a good campaign. We are playing on our home-court,” said Bembo, a mass communication junior, during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Bembo’s schoolmates, Iari Yongco and her sister Iumi are teaming up for the first time, and are also expected to shine, alongside RTU-1 bets Jessa Aranda and Jonafer San Pedro in the spikefest backed by 100 Plus and Mikasa Balls.

New faces, led by RTU-2’s Priscilla Catacutan and Lyn Bhel Loaria will be there to provide challenges with Philippine School of Business Administration spikers Dyrene Rose Benecio and Jona Lorraine Abueg, and the duo of Naomi Otoshi and Joan Morata.

Emilio Aguinaldo College-Cavite bets Christine Emmanuelle Suyao and Genevieve Legaspi are also listed with PATTS College of Aeronautics spikers Alexei Marie Sudario and Katrina Medici.

“Beach volleyball is considered a masteral sport. You have to graduate from indoor volleyball to appreciate the game. This is because you have to develop your skills first in indoor volleyball in order to enjoy playing the game,” said organizer Tisha Abundo.

The last time Bembo won the crown, she and Manzano took the top honors at the expense of University of the East bets Francislyn Cais and Jessica Paron, pulling off a 21-9, 21-6 triumph.