La Salle-Dasma belles head Petron beach cast

MANILA, Philippines - La Salle-Dasmariñas’ tandems of Iumi Yongco-Mara Galicia, Iari Yongco-Maribeth Lara head the 10 teams clashing for top honors in the Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Battle of Champions which unfolds tomorrow at the De La Salle-Health Science Institute in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

Jennifer Manzano, who won the crown for La Salle-Dasmariñas last year with Cindy Benitez, has been busy of late and will not be around to defend her crown.

Third leg winner Samantha Dawson and Bernadette Pons of Far Eastern University are also not around, while first leg titlist Giselle Bembo was replaced by Iari.

But perennial contender Pangasinan’s Cassandra Lleda and Melanie Carrera will be there to spice up action in the two-day event backed by Mikasa, Molten Balls and Erase Exfoliant.

All La Salle players, meanwhile, said they will dedicate their games to their coach Darwin Campana, who passed away last Sunday due to cancer.

“He’ll be our inspiration as we try to win the crown,“ said Iumi, the younger sister of Iari during yesterday’s weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

The other pairs are Letran 1’s Monique Pablo and Queenie Mondejar, Letran 2’s Patricia Belleza and Jan Carreon, University of the East 1’s Madel Gavarra and Chelho Ramos, University of the East 2’s Shaya Adorador and Pia Sarmiento.

San Beda 1’s Debbie Dultra and Mona Diolazo and San Beda 2’s Janine Marciano and Frances Molina are also fancied to contend for the crown along with University of the Philippines’ Liezchel Tiu and Pau Genido.

“The game played in beach volleyball is the masteral level of the sport. Players are more matured here. So, we expect good games to be played,” said organizer Tisha Abundo in the session presented by Shakey’s and Pagcor.