CPU, UM-Tagum pairs reach semis in beach volley

BORACAY , Philippines  â€“ Central Philippines University’s Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiola Mae Ceballos and University of Mindanao-Tagum’s Lourdelyn Catubag and Karen Kay Quilario fashioned out a pair of straight-set victories to nail the first two semifinal berths in the 16th Nestea Beach Volley finals here yesterday.

Gonzaga and Ceballos survived a strong, spirited challenge by Adamson’s Paulina Soriano and Shiela Marie Pineda to hack out a 21-16, 21-19 decision, keeping them on track for a rare three-peat feat in this annual summer bash.

“It was a tough match as expected but we didn’t lose our cool,” said the 21-year-old Gonzaga, a Southeast Asian Games veteran and a graduating education student.

Catubag and Quilario joined the Gonzaga-Ceballos pair in the Final Four as they overpowered La Salle’s Jeushl Wensh Tiu and Kim Fajardo, 21-13, 21-17, in the other quarterfinal duel.

CPU and UMT’s victories also kept them on a possible second title collision course.  The Gonzaga-Ceballos tandem outlasted Catubag and Quilario in last year’s thrilling showdown.

UST’s Judy Caballejo and Maruja Banaticla repulsed Southwestern U’s Danica Gendrauli and April Aguilar, 21-19, 21-16, to likewise advance to the semis.

The Tigresses, who topped the Luzon qualifiers, came from the losers’ bracket after bowing to Adamson’s Soriano and Pineda, 21-15, 21-18, in Thursday’s opener, but made up for the setback by overpowering La Salle-Dasmariñas’ Iumi and Iari Yongco, 21-16, 21-13, in the morning matches.

“The girls played sluggish the day before, perhaps its complacency because they (Adamson) never won against us before yesterday’s (Thursday’s) match,” said UST coach Emil Lontoc in Filipino.

In men’s action, Arellano U’s John Lozada and John Nunez downed Letran’s Erickson Ramos and Rudy Gatdula, 21-16, 21-18, and Mindanao State U’s Aga Tailuddin and Nuramin Madsairi powered their way to a come-from-behind 19-21, 21-17, 16-14 win over Adamson’s John Hendrix Competente and Gilbert Longavela to reach the quarterfinals.

Also making it through the next phase were Perpetual Help-Laguna’s John Joven Javier and John Nuñez, who turned back the La Salle-Dasmariñas tandem of Aldin Bin and Hudri Kona, 11-21, 21-19, 15-11, and UMT’s Hachaliah Gilbuena and Jefty Amora, who trounced Calayan’s Jeorge Pantoja and Jomari Herrera, 21-12, 21-12.

Arellano U and MSU were disputing the semis berths at presstime along with Perpetual Help-Laguna and UMT.