PSL beach volleyball action. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—Abanse Negrense was off to a rousing start after defeating favorites Sta. Lucia in the first day of the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup Friday at Subic Bay’s Sands Court.
Jennifer Cosas and Gellimae Villanueva of Abanse Negrense B recovered from a slow first set and upended Sta. Lucia A’s DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia for the 6-21, 21-14, 15-11 win.
Abanse Negrense B took down United Auctioneer’s Ella Viray and Theresa Ramas 21-13, 21-12 in its first game of the competition to get top spot in its group with a 2-0 record.
“We adjusted on the receive and on the setting, and of course on our offense,” said Cosas in Filipino as she and Villanueva are now one win away from clinching the top seed of Pool B. “Our teammates’ (Abanse Negrense B) win over Sta. Lucia was added inspiration for us. We’re honored to be part of the PSL bubble, this is worth it.”
Abanse Negrense A’s Alexa Polidario and Erjane Magdato scored an upset win, sweeping Sta. Lucia B’s Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete 21-14, 21-12.
Polidario and Magdato started their campaign with a 21-15, 21-12 win over F2 Logistics’ Jennymar Senares and Kyla Gallego and their win over Sta. Lucia B propelled them atop Pool A with a 2-0 record.
“We’re very happy because we really want to win that’s why we’re doing everything we can to win every game,” said Polidario in Filipino.
Pineda and Sabete of Sta. Lucia B hold a 1-1 record in Pool A tied with F2 Logistics’ Gallego and Senares after both teams defeated Kennedy Solar Energy-PetroGazz’ Christina Canares and Ariane Alarcon.
Sta. Lucia B had a quick match against Kennedy Solar Energy-PetroGazz taking a two-set 21-10, 21-7 win while F2 Logistics had a similar outcome defeating Alarcon and Canares 21-9, 21-6.
United Auctioneers and Sta. Lucia A are tied at the second seed of Pool B with 1-1 records after the two teams beat Toby’s Sports pair Jonah San Pedro and Javen Sabas.
Sta. Lucia A swept Toby’s Sport 21-18, 21-13 in their match while United Auctioneers’ had a similar result taking a a 21-16, 21-15 win against Pool B’s only winless team.