Foundation spikers survive San Beda in Boracay

MANILA, Philippines - Defending champion Foundation University of Dumaguete City had to adjust to the sands of the world-famous Boracay beach before whipping San Beda College, 21-19, 21-18 at the start of the Nestea Fit Beach Volleyball national finals. Foundation's Buensuceso Sayson and Arnel Amadeo, who topped the Visayas leg eliminations, initially found the going tough but regained their game eventually to subdue San Beda's Leonel Evan Laraya and James Christian Lorca, who led 2-5 early in the match. "Nahihirapan akong huminga kasi napagod ako sa sand court dito sa Boracay. Sa tingin ko dahil ito sa kakulangan namin ng training dito," said the 19-year-old Sayson, who replaced Rolando Agos, the original partner of Amadeo when they gave Foundation its second title last year in this annual event. The 20-year-old Amadeo added that they have to dig deep right at the start of the match as they groped for form and when they got their game going, they were able to dictate the phase of the match. Next in line for Foundation is Mindanato State University-Tawi Tawi (MSU-T), the Mindanao leg champion which Amadeo considers as their biggest obstacle to their second consecutive title and third overall crown. "MSU ang pinakamalupit naming kalaban dito," Sayson agreed regarding MSU-T, which easily won over its opening foe University of Mindanao Davao, 21-12, 21-16. Luzon elimination champion Far Eastern U, composed of Joshua Alcarde and Jan Berlin Paglinawa, also stamped their class immediately, defeating Mindanao Mahardika Institute's Mursaid Hadjirul and Mohammad Ali Main, 21-15, 22-20. Up next for the Tamaraws is the University of Visayas, which posted an opening-day 21-19, 21-23, 17-15 triumph over University of San Jose Recoletos (USJR). USJR’s Ariel Carumba and LouiJei Tipgos sought to post their second straight win following an earlier 21-17, 21-12 win over NCAA champion Letran. In the women's side, Visayas leg titlist University of Negros-Recoletos and Luzon elimination titlist Adamson University entered the win column at once but Mindanao elimination champ University of Mindanao Davao (UMD) suffered a reversal. UNO-R's Julie Anne Billote and Ruby Rose Bordon defeated the pair of Lourdilyn Catubag ang Jestine Carla Gonzalez of University of Mindanao-Tagum, 21-17, 21-15 while Adamson's Angela Benting and Lizlee Ann Gata dominated Holy Cross of Davao College's Mykah Ramos and Aiza Armacion, 21-9, 21-12. UMD's Janice Arnaiz and Jennifer Conde suffered a 21-13, 22-20 upset from Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation, the Visayas leg runner-up. Making their presence felt in the first day of hostilities was University of San Agustin's Krystile Marie Suizo and Jackielyn Estoquia, who posted back-to-back wins. Suizon and Estoquia defeated University of the Cordilleras' Cindy Benitez and Mary Ann Biay, 21-14, 21-12, then gave FEU's Ann Camille Abanto and Marigail Tolentino a 22-20, 21-19 beating. With the defeat, the Lady Tamaraws must beat Holy Cross of Davao College's Mykah Ramos and Aiza Armacion in their next game to avoid elimination. USA, on the other hand, will be facing Adamson University and will earn an outright semis berth if they win against the Lady Falcons. -Perry Legaspi, GMANews.TV