New finds show stuff in Petron Beach Volley

MANILA, Philippines - A new batch of participants, led by Mapua spiker Mabelle Lau, will try to assert themselves in the second leg of the 2013 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament today in Lingayen Pangasinan.

Lau, a Fil-Singaporean, who debuted last year with Bianca Reyes, will be teaming up with Precious Hazel Sedenio.

They will be among a new generation of spikers expected to shine in the Petron beach volleyball circuit, now on its 11th year.

Other new comers joining the fray are Letran’s Ethel Margaux Evangelista and Jan Juno Carreron, and Rizal Technological University’s Pricilla Catacutan and Lhyn Losaria.

Also joining this spikefest, which is supported by Mikasa and the city government of Lingayen, are the University of the East tandem of Ma. Leuseht Dawis and Pia Gabrielle Sarmiento, together with another newbie pair from Far Eastern University -- Samantha Dawson and Winona Bagang.

Carrying the fight for De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, home of several Petron volleyball champs in the past, are Beatrice Canillas and Mariel Desengano.

Six teams from host Lingayen, Pangasinan will also be around to pit their guts and skills against their Metro Manila-based counterparts.

With more teams from Pangasinan taking part in this year’s second leg, organizer Tisha Abundo expects the local folk to come in droves to back their homegrown talents.

“That is the beauty of the Petron volleyball circuit. We let the host province or city to have their best players take part and get a feel of how the sport is played in the metro. There are times that the local teams adjust quickly and make it all the way to the semis, and that is also possible here (Lingayen),” said Abundo, a former commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Last year, Pangasinense spiker Jennifer Manzano and Cindy Benitez won the second-leg crown after disposing of Rizal Technological University standouts Jessa Aranda and rookie Jonafer San Pedro, 21-8, 21-9 at the provincial capitol beachfront grounds.

The competition will be held in celebration of the province’s Pista’y Dayat Festival.

The top two teams are going for berths in the Petron Volleyball Battle of the Champions Tournament Finals, gathering leg champions and runners-up of the year in October, in the island paradise of Boracay.