Bad start for Davao spikers

By Charles Raymond A. Maxey

BORACAY -- Buensuceso Sayson and Arnel Amadeo opened their bid for another crown for Foundation University (FU) on a bright note Thursday.

Sayson and Amadeo crushed Leonel Evan Laraya and James Christian Lorca of San Beda College (SBC) in straight sets, 21-14, 21-18, at the start of the 13th Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit Finals in this summer paradise.

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Amadeo is paired with Sayson for the first time, but the two tossers performed as if they were playing together for a long time in scoring their first victory in the men's division of this three-day championship. FU had already won two national crowns and is gunning for a third one on the Amadeo-Sayson tandem.

University of Visayas (UV), represented by Jade Becaldo and Precioso Bendijo Jr., also got off to a rousing start following its thrilling 19-21, 23-21, 17-15 win over Ariel Carumba and Loujei Tipgos of the University of San Jose Recoletos (USJ-R).

As the Cebu pairs had a great opening day, spikers from Davao City got spanked and are in danger of bowing out early in the competition.

The University of Mindanao (UM)-Davao suffered defeats in both the men's and women's divisions. UM's Paul John Saraga and Galileo Mascardo went down in straight sets to Mohammad Reza Asakil and Halim Khan of Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi, 12-21, 16-21, in a morning match.

UM-Davao's Janice Arnaiz and Jennifer Conde, who topped the Mindanao leg of the event last March, also dropped their match against Erika Camille Verano and Apple Saraum of the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), 12-21, 20-22, in women's action in the afternoon.

Mykah Ramos and Aiza Armacion of Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) were set to play Adamson University's Angela Benting and Lizlee Ann Gata late in the afternoon, hoping for a win to stop the Davao bleeding.

The winners in both divisions here will receive P100,000, while the second and third placers are assured of P65,000 and P35,000, respectively.

The Nestea Fit Beach Beach Volley National Circuit is sponsored by Ipanema, Speedo, Parkmall, La'Oreal Paris Elseve, Nautilus by PJ Aranador, Mikasa, D'Mall D'Boracay, Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park, Cebu Volleyball Association, Hey! Jude Beach Resort, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, and Crystal Sand Beach Resort.