
AFTER four fruitful years, Jennifer Manzano will be playing her last games for her school when the first leg of the 10th Petron Ladies Beach Volleyball Tournament gets under way on Thursday.
Manzano, a graduating criminology student at de La Salle University-Dasmarinas, will team up with new partner Giselle Bembo when action begins at 9 a.m. at the sand courts of the de La Salle-Health and Science Institute campus in Dasmarinas, Cavite.
She will not only for the first leg crown with Bembo, but Manzano will also seek a slot in the Battle of Champions.
The 23-year old Manzano got that opportunity after winning the first leg last year with Satchel Senupe, but they skipped the Battle of Champions due to other commitments.
Nine other experienced teams will stand in the way of Manzano and Bembo in this two-day spikefest which supported by Mikasa Balls, Speedo and the DLS-HIS campus.
“This is her last year. Supposed to be the first leg is for neophytes. But, there are many experienced players competing. So the matches will be very interesting,” said organizer Tisha Abundo during yesterday’s weekly PSA Forum at the Shakey’s Restaurant in UN Ave., Manila.
Iari Yongco teams up with La Salle-Dasmarinas teammate Mariel Desengano, while Letran’s Gena Andaya pairs up with Sarah Espelita, and the duo of Justyne Mae Tadeo is with Melissa Cu.
San Beda’s Janine Marciano is playing with Coline Malana as her partner, while San Beda 2’s Kim de la Vega is with Debbie Dultra.
Last year’s first leg winner Francislyn Cais sees action with Jessica Paron of University of the East, while Jimberly Dawn Dizon and Leuseth Dawis comprises UE-2.
University of the Philippines-1 is made up of Pauline Genido and Liezchel Tiu, and UP-2 is composed of Amanda Isada and Karen del Rosario.