FEU bets seize lead in Petron volley opener

MANILA, Philippines - Far Eastern U’s Maritoni Basas and Samantha Dawson pulled off hard-earned victories over a pair of local bets to seize the early lead in the second leg of the Petron Ladies Beach volleyball tournament in Lingayen yesterday.

Basas and Dawson bucked the heat and the tough challenge from Lingayen-B’s Jovy Sison and Jovelyn Castillo to hack out a 21-19 victory then held off Lingayen-A’s Joan Fernandez and Josephine Caguioa, 21-18, at the sand courts of the provincial capital beach front.

The twin wins put FEU on the lead in Group A of the event held as part of the province’s annual celebration of the Pistay Dayat 2013 festival.

Pangasinan’s Cassandra Lleda and Melanie Carreon outplayed Letran’s Juno Carreon and Ethel Evangelista, 21-13, to stay behind Basas and Dawson in the tournament backed by Mikasa balls, the provincial government of Pangasinan and the office of Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (District 2).

Dawson hit a short volley to shatter the 18-all count then the FEU bets pounced on their rivals’ errors to clinch the victory.

Fernandez and Caguioa bounced back from the loss to FEU by beating Mapua babes Mabel Lau and Hazel Sedenio, 21-5.

In Group B, University of the East bets Leuseth Dawis and Pia Sarmiento and the pair of University of Luzon duo Marjorie Magistrado and Rachel Ramos took charge by beating their respective rivals in similar fashion.

Dawis and Sarmiento kept the Viray twins Geziela and Nieza of Pangasinan School of Arts and Trade at bay with excellent spiking to fashion out a 21-10 romp.

The 22-year-old Magistrado and Ramos, on the other hand, put away Stanza National High School standouts Maristella Santiago and Arcelyn Viray, 21-8.

Water sports like dragon boat competitions, and the multisport event of triathlon were also held as part of the Pistay Dayat celebration and in line with Gov. Amado Espino’s program to promote Pangasinan as a top sporting venue.