4 teams eye PSL beach volleyball title Sunday

THE LAST four teams standing will battle it out for the title when the Philippine Superliga beach Volleyball Challenge stages its semifinal and final rounds today at Sands at SM by the Bay inside the Mall of Asia grounds.

Unbeaten beach volleyball star Jovelyn Gonzaga and partner Nene Bautista of RC Cola-Army will clash with Petron XCS’s Bang Pineda and Aiza Maizo-Pontillas at 11:15 a.m.

Immediately following is the showdown between FEU-Petron of newbies Bernadette Pons and Kyla Atienza and Foton spikers Cherry Rondina and Patty Orendain at 12:15 p.m.

Winners will clash for all the marbles at 5:30 p.m.

“We have to keep playing at a high level because by now, they know our playing style,” said Gonzaga. “Beach volleyball is more of a mind game and experience will be a big help for us.”

Speed and wits happen to be the strength of Pineda and Pontillas, who was Gonzaga’s teammate in the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

“We did well in the eliminations but it’s nothing if we don’t make the finals,” said Pineda.

In the other semifinal pairing, Rondina and Orendain, who have captured the fancy of the gallery because of their exciting, high-flying acts, will have their hands full against Pons and Atienza.

Rondina and Orendain handed Pineda and Pontillas their lone defeat in the classification stage.

In men’s action, Philippine Navy B will clash with Team Volleyball Manila, while Philippine Navy A collide with FEU in the semifinals. Finals will be at 3:15 p.m.