Altas outlast Pirates, bag NCAA beach volley plum
Perpetual Help’s Relan and Rey Taneo Jr. proved steadier in the end, outlasting Lyceum of the Phl U’s Jhonel Badua and Joeward Presnede, 21-16, 20-22, 17-15, to capture the 92nd NCAA men’s beach volley crown at the Subic Bay sands in front of the Subic Park Hotel yesterday.
The Taneos, who swept the nine-game elims to gain a twiceto-beat edge in the finals, bounced back from a stinging 21-15, 1621, 13- 15 defeat to Badua and Presnede in Game One by edging the duo in the deciding game to clinch the championship.
It was the Las Piñas- based school’s second men’s title after ruling the event four years ago.
“This will be an unforgettable championship for us because we showed composure,” said Relan.
Badua and Presnede made it to the finals by turning back Emilio Aguinaldo College’s Joshua Mina and Paolo Cezar Lim, 21-15, 21-15, in the stepladder semis.
Earlier, San Sebastian’s Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa turned back San Beda’s Nieza and Jeziela Viray, 16-21, 21-15, 15-11, to complete a four- peat in the women’s side.
The come- from- behind win capped the Soltones-Eroa pair’s grand 10- game sweep as they remained the queen of the sands for the fourth straight year. It was also SSC’s seventh beach title overall.
The title run came on the heels of SSC’s failed bid in NCAA indoor volleyball where the Lady Stags, led by the graduating Soltones and Eroa, blew a thriceto-beat edge to the Arellano U Lady Chiefs.
“Goodbye and thank you coach for helping us get here,” Soltones told SSC coach Roger Gorayeb.
Soltones and Eroa also pounced on a hobbling Nieza Viray, who tweaked her left ankle in the first set to pound out the three-set win.
Despite the injury, Nieza still fought on but Soltones and Eroa sustained their second set romp and dominated their rivals in the decider.
In juniors’ action, Emilio Aguinaldo College turned back Letran, 24-22, 21-15, to reclaim the championship it won in 2015.
It was the Brigadiers’ fourth crown overall.