DLS-D pair Petron champs

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite—Jennifer Manzano and Giselle Bembo of De La Salle-Dasmariñas overwhelmed Francislyn Cais and Jessica Paron of University of the East, 21-9, 21-6, Saturday to rule the opening leg of the 2012 Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Manzano, the 23-year-old mainstay of the national indoor team, and Bembo looked unbeatable with their solid cohesion and spiking at the sand courts of the De La Salle Health Science Institute campus.

“Because we knew they (Cais and Paron) were not hard-hitters, we lofted our reception and enjoyed the game,” said Manzano, a criminology senior.

Manzano and Bembo reached the finals by routing Justine Mae Tadeo and Melissa Cu of Letran 2, 21-8, 21-17.

Paron and Cais, last year’s Battle of the Champions winners, forged the title clash with the DLS-D pair by outlasting Gena Andaya and Sarah Jane Espelita of Letran 1,13-21, 23-21, 15-9.

The championship was Manzano’s fifth in the Petron beach volley series in four years as she sewed up another Battle of Champions berth.

She skipped last year’s grand finals due to national team commitments despite ruling a leg with Satchel Senupe.