SWU duo stuns CPU champs in Nestea volley

BORACAY , Philippines   â€“ Southwestern U racked up two straight victories spiked by a straight-set reversal over defending women’s champion Central Philippines U to steal the thunder from the favorites in the 17th Nestea Beach Volley that started on Labor Day here.

Floremel Rodriguez and Therese Rae Ramas, a pair of freshmen from Cebu City, made quite an impression in the annual tourney, beating Perpetual Laguna’s, 21-10, 21-13, before showing their mastery over CPU’s Valerie Jen Amar and Fiola Mae Ceballos, 21-19, 21-12, for a fiery 2-0 start.

“Good start. But being young players, they still need to put their emotion in check during games,” said SWU coach Lemuel Arreza.

Ramas, who was nursing a bum stomach, and Rodriguez fought back from a 12-17 deficit in the opening frame before pulling through in the end, stringing up three successive points capped by a block. Gaining confidence and sustaining the momentum, the Lady Cobras seized a 13-4 cushion in the second and never relented from there to complete the upset.

“We adjusted our strategy and tried to target the less experienced of the two from CPU (Amar) and it worked,” said Arreza.

Reigning UAAP titlist Adamson, bannered by Shiela Pineda and Amanda Villanueva easily disposed of Mindanao State U’s Kweenafenur Mohammad Ali and Edwina Jumadil, 21-6, 21-9, to trumpet its bid. Also hurdling their first assignments were University of St. La Salle’s Patty Jane Orendain and Katya Grabato, who nipped San Sebastian’s Bea Camille Uy and Denice Lim, 21-18, 21-14; and University of Mindanao Tagum’s Danna Angela Quisado and Mary Cris Asena, who turned back University of Baguio’s Florence May Madulid and Maria Claridad Mejia, 21-16, 21-10.

SWU’s male bets Rommel Pepito amd Relan Taneo also grabbed the spotlight in men’s play with victories over NCAA champ College of St. Benilde’s Marjun Alingasa and John Vic de Guzman, 21-17, 21-18; and over University of San Jose-Recoletos’ Jade Illut and Jerson Belen, 18-21, 21-17, 16-14.

MSU Tawi-tawi pair Aga Tahiluddin and Nur-Amin Madsairi posted a 2-0 record too, shellacking St. Louis U’s Lucky Bryan Biscocho and Marklloyd Miguel, 21-11, 21-9; and Foundation U’s John Michael Acain and Rino Salatan, 21-8, 21-15.

“Our team is well prepared for the tournament, having played in the ARMM beach volleyball open tournament and emerged champion there,” said MSU coach Edward Lee, whose wards are looking to bring the title back to Mindanao after a seven-year drought.