THE Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas pair of Ana Alicia Adolfo and Alyanna Marie Gorospe hopes to complete an unfinished business in the Petron Ladies Beach volleyball tournament, whose opening leg of the 2011 edition kicks off this week at the UE Caloocan sand court.
The duo came up short in the same leg of the annual meet last year, finishing runner up behind eventual champions Asia Urquico and Jessica Morado of Ateneo.
A conflict in their schedule later in the year prevented them from competing in the season-ending Battle of Champions, where all leg winners and runners up battle for the tournament’s overall supremacy.
“Medyo na-disappoint kami ng kaunti dahil nga conflict in schedule didn’t allow us to see action sa fourth leg held in Puerto Princesa,” said Adolfo, who, together with her partner and the rest of the participating teams, appeared in the weekly PSA Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s U.N. Ave.
“But now, we’re excited dahil makakalaro na ulit kami. And hopefully this time, manalo na kami.”
A total of 10 teams will be vying in the first leg title of the meet supported by Mikasa, Molten Balls and Speedo, with the winner running away with the cash prize of P10,000 plus a trophy. Runner-up gets P5,000 and trophy.
Aside from PCU-Dasmarinas, also entered in the Feb. 24-25 event are the La Salle-Dasmarinas teams of Iyari Yongco and Aileen Abuel, and Iumi Yongco and Marie Desengano, San Sebastian College-Cavite’s Jaizel Cervantes and April Lyn Reyes, Emilio Aguinaldo College bets Donna Mae Factor and Anelyn Arroyo, and Arianna Mae Angustia and Charmille Belleze, Rizal Technological University’s Hezzymie Acuna and Kent Salapuddin and Menchie Tabuena and Grace Adelante, as well as the University of the East’s pair of Krycel Cueva and Francislyn Cais.
Adolfo and Gorospe are expected to meet stiff opposition from the DLSU-Dasmarinas spikers, all of whom were members of the team that reached the finals of the recent NCRAA indoor competitions.
Former PSC commissioner Tisha Abundo, the lady behind the success of the tournament now on its ninth season, said in the same session presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR and Shakey’s, that succeeding legs may likely be held in Puerto Princesa and Pangasinan, respectively.
“Aside from the sport itself, the Petron Ladies Beach volleyball tournament also promotes places. It’s actually a subtle way of promoting sports tourism.
Eliminations will be held on the 24th starting at 1 p.m. The following day, the semifinals are going to be played in the morning, before it holds the finals later in the afternoon.
