Manzano, Senupe rule beach volley

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Philippines—Power-playing Jennifer Manzano and newcomer Satchel Senupe powered La Salle-Dasmariñas to a 21-11, 21-18 victory over Letran’s Gena Andaya and Marinelli Jane Carolino to retain the Petron Ladies beach volleyball Battle of Champions crown at the Baywalk sand court Tuesday. The 5-foot-10 Manzano, a Criminology student, terrorized Letran with her kills and solid blocking, while Senupe bucked early jitters to post the win which assured them a place in the Summer Universiade in China next year. The winning duo also went home P20,000 richer.

“We capitalized on a good start and never let go,” said Manzano. Manzano and Senupe brushed aside the challenge of Ateneo’s Asia’s Urquico and Jessica Morado in the first semifinal, 21-17, while Andaya and Carolino dominated fellow Letranites Marie Burce and Melissa Cu, 21-14. The first set was a breeze for the Lady Patriots as the Lady Knights defense crumbled when under siege. La Salle-Dasmariñas never relinquished an early 5-1 lead.