PH pairs hit dust

NEW Zealand’s Julia Margaret Tilley misses out on a long ball by Charo Soriano (center) of PH Team B as Shaunna Marie Polley looks on in alarm. AUGUST DELACRUZ

THE PHILIPPINES’ two teams gave everything they’ve got but still fell short against an unforgiving foreign assault Monday in Day 2 of the Spike for Peace International Beach Volleyball tournament at Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Danika Gendrauli and Jane Diaz of PH Team B went down in defeat to the crack Japanese pair of Akiko Hasegawa and Ayumi Kusano, 21-16, 21-11, for their second straight defeat in Pool C.

Gendrauli and Diaz, the Philippine Superliga winners, also lost to Sweden’s national champion pair of Karin Erika Lundqvist and Anne-Lie Helense Rinisland on opening day.

Gendrauli and Diaz picked up points on drops and sneak attacks to pull in front, 12-9 and 15-13, in the first set before Hasegawa and Kusano stopped the bleeding and went on to post their second win following a stunning victory over a Brazilian pair in the inaugurals.

Later in the day, PH Team A of Alexa Micek and Charo Soriano bowed to New Zealand’s Julia Margaret Tilley and Shaunna Marie Polley, 21-17, 21-10.

The Filipino-American Micek and Soriano also dropped their opening match against Thailand in Pool D but could still advance to the next round if they win in a rubber match for the group’s No. 2 slot.

“Our service game broke down,” said Micek. “And it was hard for us when they were targeting specific spots on the court. But we’re getting there. We just don’t have all the time to practice together like the other teams here.”

Micek said the Filipinos came into the tournament at a disadvantage since many in the field are veteran pairs and are mainly vying for points to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.

Still, Tilley praised the Filipinos’ gutsiness and said they could only get stronger playing together longer.

“The more time they play together the better they will get,” said Tilley.

In other matches, Indonesia tripped Australia A, 21-16, 21-12, and third seed Sweden brought down Brazil, 21-12, 14-21, 15-13.