Petron, Sta. Lucia clash for PSL beach volleyball crown

Defending champion Petron XCS earned a shot to defend its title in the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup after taking down Generika-Ayala A 21-9, 21-16 Saturday at SM Sands by the Bay.

Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons will face Sta. Lucia in the championship round on Sunday.

Pons said recovery is the priority for them heading into the finals, using the short downtime to study Dhannylaine Demontano and Jackielyn Eustaquia.

“We first have to rest after playing for two games today under the hot weather,” said Pons in Filipino. “We also have to study for our opponents because we haven’t faced them yet.”

Demontano and Eustaquia booked their championship round slot after stopping F2 Logistics’ Joy Gallenero and Mich Morente 21-11, 21-15.

Although Demontano and Eustaquia faced F2’s pairing for the first time, unfamiliarity didn’t hinder them that much as they were able to adjust throughout the match.

“That was the first time we faced them so we watched their previous games and target their weak spots,” said Demontano. “They couldn’t defend the short balls that well so we repeated that throughout the game.”