USLS Stingers, CPU-Iloilo tossers lead Visayas qualifiers

University of St. La Salle-Bacolod and Central Philippine U-Iloilo topped the men’s and women’s divisions of the Nestea beach volleyball Visayas leg over the weekend and will tow four other pairs to the Boracay finals next month.

USLS Stingers Roelene Inaudito and Kerwin Reje scored a close 21-19, 21-18 victory over Cebu’s University of the Visayas while the Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiola Mae Ceballos-powered CPU repulsed Southwestern U’s Danika Yolanda Gandrauli and Lori Mae Layno, 21-15, 21-17, in the finals held in Moalboal, Cebu.

Also advancing to the April 19 to 21 championship are third placers Jason Uy and Jade Illut of University of San Jose-Recoletos (Cebu) and USLS-Bacolod’s Sheryl June Denila and Patty Jane Orindain

“The game was really tough and the sudden downpour also affected our performance,” said the 5-foot-9 Gonzaga, a national team member.

The Visayas qualifiers will join Mindanao teams University of Mindanao-Tagum, University of Mindanao-Davao, Mindanao State U of Tawi-Tawi, Holy Cross College-Davao and Jose Maria College-Davao in the finals.

Twenty-four more teams will vie in the Luzon leg on March 21 to 23 in Tanauan, Batangas. Romina S. Austria