Davao spikers ready for war

DAVAO CITY, Philippines - Allen Jay Sales and Celboy Atendido of the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) created waves of sorts when the young pair barged into the semifinals and finals of the 2008 Nestea Beach Volleyball set from April 24 to 26 in sunny Boracay. Now that both of them are there, the 18-year-old Atendido and 19-year-old Sales will try to produce some more magic against veteran and tough spikers from the rest of the country in the three-day competition. Ali Bernan, the HCDC pair's coach, is confident of his boys' chances. "Beach volleyball is an unpredictable sport. It's a team effort between two players and I think they have that," Bernan told Sun.Star Davao. Bernan, an excellent spiker himself during his college days, said they have been preparing hard for this tournament and expect no less than a spirited performance from Atendido and Sales in Boracay. As part of their preparation, Atendido and Sales will have rounds of practice at the beach volleyball court in Tagum City Saturday and Sunday before they fly to Boracay via Manila on April 23. Atendido and Sales placed only third in the men's division during the Mindanao leg of the Nestea Beach Volleyball eliminations last March, but will be entering the semifinals and finals as one of the darkhorse teams. Two more Davao City pairs have made it to Boracay: HCDC women's pair of Mykah Ramos and Aiza Armacion, who placed second; and the women's tandem of Maricel Cabus and Janice Arnaiz from the University of Mindanao, who finished third place. - Sun.Star Davao