Sarte shines for Generika
MANILA - Anthony Arbastro and Calvin Sarte of Generika-Ayala used a strong finishing kick to crush EJ Ramos and Edmar Bonono of Cignal HD, 21-17, 2118, to claim the men’s division crown of the 2017 Belo Philippine Superliga (PSL) Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup Thursday at the SM By the Bay in Mall of Asia.
Playing together for the first time, Arbastro and Sarte completed a seven-game sweep to claim the title of this prestigious tourney backed by Stoked, Mikasa, Mizuno, Senoh, Rebisco and SM By the Bay with TV5 as official broadcaster.
Meanwhile, Mike Abria and Edwin Tolentino of SM By the Bay settled for the 3rd place following a 2119, 23-21 demolition of Rey and Relan Taneo of Perpetual Help in the classification round.
In the women’s division, Cherry Rondina and Bernadeth Pons of Petron Sprint 4T booked a ticket to the finals as they dominated Bang Pineda and Frances Molina of Petron XCS, 2117, 21-13.
Also making the finals were Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos of Generika-Ayala A, who clobbered Danika Gendrauli and Jackie Estoquia of Sta. Lucia, 2115, 21-11, in the other semifinal pairing early in the day.
Rondina and Pons, two of the most dominant players in the UAAP beach volleyball today, are still clashing with Orendain and Ceballos in a titular battle as of press time.
Reigning champion Jovelyn Gonzaga and Maica Morada of Cignal HD A were also victorious, prevailing over Mylene Paat and Janine Marciano of Cignal HD B, 21-15, 26-28, 15-11, to cop 5th place while Bianca Tripoli and Marijo Medalla of Perpetual claimed 7th place with a 21-13, 21-19 win over Wensh Tiu and Abie Naval of Cocolife in the other classification battle.
A Sports and Wellness Management major at University of Santo Tomas and reigning UAAP beach volleyball champion, Arbastro displayed flawless form at the net early on while Sarte took charge on the defense.
Generika-Ayala, however, trailed in the crucial stretch of the first set, 1417, but its airtight floor defense made it difficult for Cignal HD to penetrate.