SSC beach volleybelles blast way to 4th win

San Sebastian College hacked out two victories to boost its drive for a third straight women’s crown in the 85th NCAA beach volleyball tournament at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City. The pair of Margarita Pepito and Russel Jalbuna crushed Jose Rizal University’s Marjanette Echano and Maritess Sta. Ana, 21-4, 21-11, before clobbering San Beda’s Che Aquio and Coline, 21-16, 21-6.

The twin victories moved the two-time defending champions to a leading 4-0 win-loss slate. Not to be outdone was the University of Perpetual Help duo of April Anne Sartin and Keshia de Luna who also posted two wins to join the Lady Stags at the helm. The Lady Altas tandem beat Arellano University’s Sheena Teves and Cherry Ferrer, 21-15, 21-15 before winning over JRU’s Echano and Sta. Ana, 21-12, 21-12. Also scoring a double-victory were Giza Yumang and Girlie Quemada of College of St. Benilde, who crushed San Beda’s Aquio and Malana, 21-7, 21-7, and Letran’s Kriszelle Moralejo and Gena Kesshia Andaya, 21-6, 21-16. The Lady Blazers improved to 3-0 for solo second. Moralejo and Andaya later bent their ire on Emilo Aguinaldo College’s Kat Golfo and Rachelle Tan, 21-11, 21-9, to take fourth spot with an even 2-2 mark. In the men’s division, Letran’s Erickson Ramos and Warren Pirante edged erstwhile co-leader San Beda’s Leonel Ivan Laraya and James Lorca, 19-21, 21-17, 15-12, for the reigning champions' fourth straight victory. It was the first loss in four outings for the Red Lions, who slipped down to solo second. Other men’s matches saw Arellano’s Gerry Ross Dave and Chris Salvador beating St. Benilde’s Jourdan Russel and Michael Lim, 21-12, 21-17, and San Sebastian’s Gerald Hiraldo and Jeffrey Salvador blasting St. Benilde’s Russel and Lim, 25-23, 21-15. Jose Rizal and Perpetual also notched a win, both via default against a no-show Mapua. - GMANews.TV