Lady Mariners power way to joint beach volley lead

MANILA, Philippines - Ana Nicole Banas and Japanese-Filipina Nao Sagawa overpowered Dagupan-based Marife Diaz and Mary Joy Marcellones, 21-11, in the rain to lead four other winners at the start of the Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball tournament at the beachfront of the provincial capitol grounds in Lingayen, Pangasinan Thursday.

Banas and Sagawa blasted their rivals with their serves to break away from a tight 9-all count, racking up 12 of the next 14 points to post the victory and join defending second-leg winner Melanie Carrera and new partner Juvelyn Castillo, La Salle-Dasmariñas bets Bea Canillas and Jennifer Zarate, La Salle-Dasmariñas alumnae spikers Aileen Abuel and Regina Tungol, and University of the East alumnae Abigail Escandor and Gina Alanguilan in the early lead.

“We have no idea of how they play so we poured it all on serves and gave our all in attacks,” said Banas, an incoming customs administration sophomore, in Pilipino.

Carrera and Castillo downed Team Baguio’s Xian Tsuchiya and Shirley Balantac who closed within, 14-15, but made three reception errors, enabling Carrera and Castillo to cruise to the win.

Canillas and Zarate, meanwhile, weathered a late comeback by PMMS-2’s Clarisse Cabrera and Jaynilyn Banares to snatch a 21-19 win.

A drop shot to the left side by Canillas moved the DLSU-D Lady Patriots to the hill, 20-16, but Cabrera and Banares pounced on their rivals’ errors to threaten at 19-20 before the Lady Patriots regrouped and pounded out the win in the tournament supported by the provincial government of Pangasinan, the office of Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (second district) and Mikasa Balls.

Abuel and Tungol, formerly from La Salle-Dasma, used their experience to beat Lingayen bets Melva Basilio and Marie Dominic Ventayen, 21-11.

UE’s Escandor and Alanguilan later stopped Canillas and Zarate, 21-17, in a Group A match of the event held as part of the province’s annual celebrations of the Pista’y Dayat Festival.