Jennifer Manzano and Giselle Bembo needed only 55 minutes to turn back University of Perpetual Help-Biñan, Laguna, 21-7, 21-17, in the women’s finals.

Joel Villanueva and Ran-Ran Abdilla then completed a twin kill for the Patriots with a 21-12, 21-18 win over Dagupan City’s University of Luzon in men’s championship.

“We are aiming to improve our fifth place finish in Boracay in 2010. What we will do now is practice hard in time for the Boracay stint,” said La Salle-Dasmariñas women’s coach Darwin Campana.

It was the second title for the 5-foot-9 Manzano and the 5-foot-4 Bembo in a span of one month.

UL-Dagupan claimed the last ticket in the Boracay round after nipping host FAITH, 21-16, 16-21, 15-12, in the battle for third place for women’s to join La Salle-Dasmariñas and UPH-Biñan.

The national finals is set on April 19-21.

Aside from La Salle-Dasmariñas and UL-Dagupan, also advancing into the Boracay round is Lucena City’s Calayan Educational Foundation University, who posted a 21-14, 21-13 victory over University of Baguio in the battle for third place in the men’s division.

Among those Visayas squads who made it to the Boracay stage are defending women’s champion Central Philippine University, Southwestern University and University of Saint La Salle of Bacolod in the distaff side, as well as USLS, University of the Visayas and University of San Jose-Recoletos of Cebu in the men’s side.

From Mindanao, the University of Mindanao-Tagum men and women’s teams will compete in the national finals alongside University of Mindanao-Davao, Mindanao State University of Tawi-Tawi, Holy Cross College of Davao and Jose Maria College of Davao.

The Metro Manila leg begins today with 12 men’s teams and 12 women’s squads battling for the remaining six Boracay slots.

UAAP women’s beach volleyball champion University of Santo Tomas and NCAA titleholder University of Perpetual Help System Dalta lead the distaff side entries, which also includes Adamson, Arellano University, College of Saint Benilde, Jose Rizal University, Rizal Technological University, San Beda College, La Salle, Assumption College, University of Makati and University of the Philippines.

In the men’s side, UAAP champion Far Eastern University and NCAA kings Perpetual Help will compete along with La Salle, Adamson, UP, National University, UST, San Beda, Philippine Normal University and RTU.  (TJ)

The event, presented by Good Fellas and Banana Peel, is divided into two divisions – the Competitive (men’s and women’s) and Open (mixed).

The entrance fee for the Competitive division is P3,000, where the champion will take home P20,000 cash, while the second placer will claim P10,000.

In the Open division, entrance fee is pegged at P2,000, where the winner will bring home P5,500, while the runner-up will settle for the P3,500 prize.

The three-day event is supported by El Hombre Tequila, Bamboo Beach Resort and Restaurant, Grand Boracay Resort, Boracay Tropics, Asian Dragon Apartment, Urban Ninja, Ginger Rue, P&P Tattoo, Infinite Fashion, Lightworks Optoelectronics Philippines Inc., Eagle Photography, Bachelor’s Pad and Bardeli’s Deli and Liquor Mart along with media partners Clavel Magazine, Circuit Magazine, The Philippine Star, PCTV and Chinoy TV.

For more details, check the event’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/theboracaycodebeacholympics. (TJ)

April 10-12, 2012
Bamboo Beach Resort and Restaurant

For Registration: Registration Form
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Email: sharamaeso@gmail.com
Phone: +63 917 884 1888

Tested to the limit, Hope rallied from two sets down to complete a ‘three-peat’ in the tournament.

A service ace by Maria Lina Isabel Molde, a rookie from Catmon Elementary School in Cebu, Hope raced to a 10-2 lead.

NU threatened to 8-14 but an attacking error by 6-foot-2 Jaja Santiago allowed Hope to clinch the championship point.

The winningest team in the league, Hope followed up its conquests against Angeles University Foundation and University of Santo Tomas in the Manila regional finals in the last two editions.

Hope thus booked a slot in the Shakey’s Tournament of Champions, which will be held on March 21-24 in Davao City, where the Binondo-based squad will take on regional champions from Cebu, Davao, Iloilo and Bacolod.

NU was in full control of the first set by erecting a 14-3 advantage with Santiago and Jorelle Singh on the firing end.

In the third set, Hope pounced on NU’s error to erase a 15-18 deficit to take a 22-18 lead.

With Singh scoring a kill, NU tied the match at 24-24 before Hope connected two straight hits to win the third frame.

Colegio de San Agustin, starring Julia Morado, claimed the third place trophy by trampling Angelicum, 21-25, 25-19, 25-22. (TJ)

The Lady Eagles will continue to have Gorayeb on the bench as they continue their bid for the elusive first-ever UAAP women’s volleyball crown.

“Yes, we are keeping him (Gorayeb) as our coach,” said Ateneo athletic director Ricky Palou in a text message.

On his fourth year, Gorayeb steered the Lady Eagles to a runner-up finish in Season 74, which is the best-ever finish by the Katipunan-based squad since joining the league in 1978.

The NCAA suspended Gorayeb, who is also handling the San Sebastian College volleyball team, and San Beda College basketball mentor Frankie Lim for two years for their involvement in the brawl which took place at the San Beda Gym last Dec. 2.

Gorayeb suffered injuries and he was not able to show up on the next day in the Ateneo’s first round meeting with La Salle to recuperate in a hospital.

The Lady Archers captured their seventh league championship after winning two of their three finals matches against the Lady Eagles last week.

The league’s Policy Board gave Red Lions mentor Frankie Lim and Gorayeb two-year suspension based on the recommendation by the Management Committee.

“Ang school ang mag-appeal (ng suspension),” said Gorayeb, the multi-titled Lady Stags mentor, in a text message.

Gorayeb, who was ganged up by the San Beda basketball team which forced the abrupt end of the women’s volleyball match between San Sebastian and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, did not make any further comments.

Lim could not hide his disappointment regarding the decision handed out by the Policy Board, who are made up of the school presidents from the 10 teams.

“The sanctions given to us are malicious and ridiculous. My impression is that they’re showing San Beda the door,” said Lim.

Despite having completed their playing eligibility with the Lions, Dave Marcelo was given a three-game suspension for being the instigator, while Garvo Lanete, Mar Villahermosa and Sudan Daniel were handed out a one-game ban.

Kyle Pascual, Jake Pascual, Jaypee Mendoza, Rysie Koga, Rome de la Rosa, and Melo Lim will miss San Beda’s Season 88 opening match due to their participation on the brawl.

Nigerian Ola Adeogun and Fil-Am player Julius Armon are banned from entering in any NCAA venue in the coming season as supporters for the Lions for being part of the incident.

Adeogun and Armon were serving their residency for San Beda when the brawl took place on Dec. 2.

“They cannot yet be considered as NCAA players because they have not yet submitted themselves to the NCAA eligibility process,” said in the league’s statement written by NCAA Management Committee chairman Ramon Cercado of season host Perpetual Help.

Lions assistant mentor Ed Cordero was also suspended for one game due to his involvement in the fracas.

“Yes, San Beda will appeal,” said Jose Mari Lacson, the school’s representative to the Management Committee.

A miscommunication about a warm-up chant by the San Sebastian men’s volleyball team, which angered Adeogun, as ended up in a mesh up between the San Beda seniors basketball squad and Gorayeb. (TJ)

Far Eastern University copped its first men’s championship in four years by dethroning University of Santo Tomas, 25-27, 25-15, 19-25, 21-25, 15-13.

By ending the Growling Tigers’ four-year reign, the Tamaraws booked their league-leading 25th title.

It was the second consecutive season that the Lady Archers posted a 16-1 record – their only loss of the tournament was with the hands of the Lady Eagles in the finals opener.

Now the league’s fourth winningest team, La Salle claimed its seventh diadem, all under coach Ramil de Jesus.

“Never kaming nag-doubt after that Game 1 loss.  Wake up call sa amin yun and I’m super blessed that we won the championship again,” said Cruz, who was named the Finals MVP.

A Bulacan native, Cruz won four championships in five seasons playing for La Salle.

The Lady Archers tallied 10 blocks, with four coming from Michelle Gumabao, who contributed 11 hits.

“We were able to minimize our errors.  And dahil sa last game ni Cha Cruz, ayaw kong maghiwalay kami na hindi champion,” said de Jesus.

Alyssa Valdez was the only bright spot for the Lady Eagles with 12 points, as skipper Fille Cainglet was shut down to a personal season-low seven hits.

Despite the setback, Ateneo has nothing to ashamed of with its most successful season in women’s volleyball since joining the league in 1978.

In his final game for FEU, JR Labrador dropped 22 hits, including four blocks, while Arvin Avila added 19 points.

Kirk Beliran, who like Labrador has already played his season for the Tamaraws, scored the championship point which set up a big celebration for the Morayta-based spikers, who completed a two-game finals sweep.

“Nandoon yung teamwork, yung mai-apply yung ginagawa namin sa training at yung mag-enjoy sa paglalaro ang susi sa tagumpay na ito,” said Labrador.

“Ito ang moment na hinihintay namin.  Sinabi ko sa kanila na maging aggressive dahil nandoon yung experience ng UST.  Mabuti at nasunod yung game plan namin,” said FEU mentor George Pascua.

Jay Depante had 23 hits, including three blocks, while Mark Gil Alfafara had 18 points for the Growling Tigers. (TJ)

The Lady Archers, however, will have to deal on a hard-fighting Lady Eagles, which is doing well in their first-ever championship appearance.

Pouncing on Ateneo’s lack of experience in closing sets, La Salle survived with a 23-25, 25-21, 26-24, 25-18 victory in Game 2 that was played in front of a sell-out crowd last Saturday.

“Kailangan naming bawasan ang mga unforced errors kung nais naming manalo.  Magiging susi din sa amin ang magandang blocking at receiving,” said Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus.

The Lady Eagles would have move within a win of claiming the crown if not for a big collapse in the third frame, where the Katipunan lady spikers squandered a 16-10 lead.

“Lumabas ang inexperience ng mga bata (sa Game 2).  Pero despite of this, napatunayan namin na kaya naming makipagsabayan sa La Salle. Lalaban pa rin kami sa Game 3,” said Ateneo mentor Roger Gorayeb.

Abigail Maraño hopes to rebound from a poor seven-hit showing on the same day she was named the season MVP to help out Lady Archers ace blocker Michelle Gumabao, newly-minted Rookie of the Year Ara Galang and veteran Cha Cruz.

La Salle is also pinning its hopes on Mika Esperanza’s set plays, which will be the key for the attackers to do their thing.

Alyssa Valdez, Fille Cainglet, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho, A Nacachi and setter Jem Ferrer must elevate their game a notch higher for the Lady Eagles to stay alive.

A win by Ateneo, which is seeking its first championship, the deciding Game 4 is set on Saturday, which could possibly held in a much-bigger venue.

In men’s finals, Far Eastern University guns for its first championship in five seasons against reigning four-time titlist University of Santo Tomas at 10 a.m.

The Tamaraws took the series opener, stunning the Growling Tigers in straight sets, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22, to move closer in bagging a 25th title.

“Kailangang itaas lalo ang level ng laro namin.  Mahirap pa ring kalaban ang UST,” said FEU mentor George Pascua. (TJ)

Down by six points in the third set, the Lady Archers held steadier when the going gets tough while Rookie of the Year winner Ara Galang delivered the goods in the fourth frame to bag the hard-earned victory.

In the men’s finals, Far Eastern University moved within a win of clinching its first crown in five seasons by shocking reigning four-time titlist University of Santo Tomas, 25-20, 25-21, 25-22.

By bouncing back from a four-set loss in the finals opener which ended its impressive 14-game winning run, La Salle can bag its seventh diadem with another win in Game 3 on Wednesday.

“Maganda ang naging blocking namin at naging mas aggressive ang mga bata.  Naging mabait yung mga bata (sa Game 1) kaya kailangang maibalik yung aggressiveness sa paglalaro,” said Lady Archers mentor Ramil de Jesus.

Michelle Gumabao proved that her Best Blocker was no fluke, as the daughter of former actor and PBA player Dennis Roldan finished with 18 points, while Cha Cruz and Galang contributed 12 hits apiece for La Salle.

Abigail Maraño, who was named the season MVP, struggled with her season-low tying seven points.

“Hindi niya expected na manalo siya (Maraño) ng MVP kaya nagkaganyan.  Pero maganda ang ipinakita ni Galang,” said de Jesus.

Alyssa Valdez dropped 23 hits while Fille Cainglet and Dzi Gervacio added 13 and 10 points, apiece, for the Lady Eagles.

“Lumabas ang pagkabata nila.  Sayang dahil dapat panalo kami sa third set,” said Ateneo mentor Roger Gorayeb.

The Lady Eagles were comfortable ahead, 16-10, in the third frame and were two points away from set point when A Nacachi committed a service error for the Lady Archers to move closer to 22-23.

Cainglet scored a kill for a 24-22 Ateneo lead, but rookie Mika Reyes took charge by scoring three straight hits, including two service aces, while Cruz scored a kill for La Salle to take the third set.

JR Labrador unloaded 23 hits, including five blocks, while Arvin Avila added 15 points as the Tamaraws took the 1-0 advantage in the best-of-three series.

“Ito na siguro ang turning point (Game 1 win), pero sana hindi kami maging overconfident dahil tiyak babawi sila (Growling Tigers),” said FEU mentor George Pascua.

“Malaking factor talaga yung nabatak kami ng La Salle sa Final Four,” he added.

The Tamaraws were dragged to a ‘rubber match’ with the Green Archers before advancing to the championship round once more.

FEU shoot for a 25th crown with another Game 2 na lalaruin sa Miyerkules.

No UST player tallied in double figures, with Romnick Rico leading the way with nine hits.

Meanwhile, other women’s awardees who were feted in between breaks are  Rosemarie Vargas, Christine Agno and Gyzelle Sy of FEU as Best Scorer, Best Digger and Best Setter, Angelica Vasquez of Adamson as Best Receiver, and Maika Ortiz of UST  as Best Attacker.

Men’s MVP honors went to Tigers team captain Jayson Ramos.

Aside from Labrador and Ramos, other individual awardees for men’s are Peter Den Mar Torres, Reuben Inaudito and Vincent Raphael Mangulaban of National University as Best Attacker, Best Blocker and Rookie of the Year, John Hendrix Competente and Gilbert Longavela of Adanson as Best Server and Best Digger, Pietrus de Ocampo of  FEU as Best Setter and Paul Jan Doloiras of UST as  Best Receiver. (TJ)