Rainy day, perfect start

By Mike T. Limpag

BORACAY - It wasn’t a perfect day at the beach, but the University of the Visayas (UV) and the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) had a perfect start at the Nestea Fit Beach Volleyball National Finals.

UV defeated the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), 19-21, 23-21, and 17-15, in the men’s division, while USPF won over the University of Mindanao-Davao (UM-Davao), 21-13, 22-20, in the women’s side.

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In the other games, it was defending men’s champion Foundation University over San Beda College, 21-14, 21-18;

University of Mindanao-Davao over Mindanao State University-Tawi-Tawi, 21-18, 21-16; and Far Eastern University (FEU) over Mahardika Institute of Technology, 21-15, 20-22.

“They had many errors in the first set since the boys are still adjusting, but they were able to show what they can do,” said UV coach Raffy Briones, who won the women’s title in 2007.

Conditions

Though Ariel Craumba and Loujei Tipgos practiced for weeks in Cebu, Briones said they had difficulty adjusting to the conditions here.

“Everything is different in Boracay, it’s a different type of sand. We also had to adjust to the wind since it was very strong,” said Briones. “The team that adjusts well will have the advantage.”

The two teams played closely in the third set with neither taking more than a one-point lead.

Jade Becaldo’s reception error and a well-placed shot by Tigos broke a 9-9 deadlock for an 11-9 USJ-R lead, forcing Briones to call for a timeout.

“I told them that we can still win this and it was good that they responded,” said Briones.

UV caught up at 12-12, then at 15-15 before Becaldo scored on a spike and a soft tap to an open spot for their three-set win.
UV will next face FEU, while USJ-R, which defeated Letran, 21-17, 21-12, in the first game yesterday, will take on MIT.

If USJ-R wins, and UV loses, the two will meet again for a spot in the semis.

Rainy

Meanwhile, the rain poured in the early afternoon, but USPF got a lucky break as it was after its game against UM-D, the champions from Mindanao.

USPF coach Thelma Datig said Apple Saraum and Erika Verano only had a week of practice for the national finals, but the lack of preparation didn’t show in their 30-minute win.

From 10-8, USPF broke away to 20-12 before Janice Arnaiz ended the first set in a little over 13 minutes with a service error.

The second set got a bit more competitive as UMD saved three match points to force a tiebreak, 20-20.

However, UMD wasted its chance with yet another service error, while Verano ended the match with her signature spike.

“We only had a one-week practice since the two also competed in the national Prisaa (Private Schools Athletic
Association),” said Datig, who is hoping for a top four finish this year.

Saraum, who is on her first national finals, and Verano will next face the winner of the match between Visayas champion University of Negros-Oriental and UM-Tagum today.