Two Filipino pairs advance to FIVB women’s Round of 12

Sisi Rondina and Dzi Gervacio advance to the Round of 12. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

A couple of Philippine teams advanced to the Round of 12 of the women’s division in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open after the second round of competition Friday at SM Sands by the Bay.

The team of Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Quilario, the reigning champion of Beach Volleyball Republic, advanced to the next round after a seesaw group stage.

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Catubag and Quilario edged Hong Kong team of Ting Chi Yuen and Wai Yan Au Yuneg, 21-13, 18-21, 15-11, in Pool C to secure three points after a 1-1 win-loss record.

The duo lost their opening match against the Netherlands’ Katja Stam and Julia Wouters, 21-14, 21-11.

In the last match of the Filipino women of the day, the pair of Cherry Rondina and Dzi Gervacio bowed to Spain’s Paula Gutierrez and Maria Marquez de Acuña in two close sets, 22-20, 23-21.

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Rondina and Gervacio settled for the second seed of Pool D with three points with a 1-1 record behind the Spaniards who have four points after going undefeated for two games.

The team of Rondina and Gervacio started off the competition on a high note after a two-set stunner against United States’ Lindsey Fuller and Kaley Melville, 21-12, 21-15.