UE spikers lead Petron beach volley semifinalists

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite, Philippines – University of the East duo Francislyn Cais and Krycel Cueva scored a four-game sweep of their elimination-round assignments to barge into the semifinals of the third leg of the 2014 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball tournament.

The UE tandem’s fast-paced plays allowed them to start off with a 21-12 stopping of San Beda-2’s Shannen Lim and Camille de la Peña, before notching three more victories in Group B to clinch a berth in the knockout semifinal round of this beach volley fiesta backed by Petron, Mikasa Balls and the De La Salle-Health Sciences Institute.

They pulled off a 21-17 beating of Letran-2’s Ethel Evangelista and Mikaela Lopez, and then notched a 21-6 pounding of Emilio Aguinaldo College-2’s Yvonne Reyes and Arnie Yumul, before capping their run of victories with a 21-11 edging of La Salle-Dasmariñas alumni spikers Rosebiege Mendoza and Shiela Mae Nanquil.

Their run of wins put them in the semifinals with Far Eastern University standouts Bernadette Pons and teammate Charm Simborio, whose impressive frontline game allowed them to also post a four-game sweep in Group A.

“Tinibayan namin ang defense sa frontline kaya nakalusot kami,” said Cais, a 21-year-old management senior.

Pons and Simborio concluded their elimination stint in Group A with a 21-12 flogging of Adolfo and Gorospe to formally enter the semis against EAC 2’s Reyes and Yumul, who ended Group B with a 3-1 win-loss slate.

On the other hand, EAC 1’s Charmille Belleza and Clara Camille Lozada put away San Beda College’s Debbie Dultra and Carmina Rebolledo, in their last Group A match to earn a 3-1 slate to arrange a semifinal clash with UE’s Cais and Cueva.

The winners and runners-up of the third leg will earn berths in the Petron Beach Volleyball Battle of Champions late this year.