Both of Abanse Negrense’s teams took the lead in their respective groups in the 2021 Gatorade-PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup, Friday at the Subic Bay Tennis Center.
Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva of Abanse Negrense B bounced back from a crushing first set, before upsetting the decorated duo of DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia for a thrilling 6-21, 21-14, 15-11 triumph.
Earlier in the day, Cosas and Villanueva took down United Auctioneers’ Ella Viray and Theresa Ramos, 21-13, 21-12, to gain pole position in Pool B.
On the other hand, Abanse Negrense A’s Alexa Polidario and Erjane Magdato stunned Sta. Lucia B’s Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete, 21-14, 21-12. They then blasted F2 Logistics’ Jennymar Senares and Kyla Gallego, 21-15, 21-12 in Pool A to complete the good starts for the Carmela Gamboa-backed squads.
“Nag-adjust po kami sa receive tsaka setting, opensa po. Nakadagdag inspiration ‘yung panalo ng teammates namin (Abanse Negrense A) kanina,” said Cosas.
“Masasabi ko lang naga-adjust pa kami sa first minute, and then nakabawi kami nung nasa crucial na ‘yung laro,” Magdato added.
Sta. Lucia A earlier defeated Kennedy Solar Energy-PetroGazz, which consisted of Ariane Alarcon and Christina Canares, 21-10, 21-7. Meanwhile, Cargo Movers Senares and Gallego pounced on the hapless duo of Alarcon and Canares, 21-9, 21-6 to sit at third in Group A.
In Pool B, Sta. Lucia B and UAI are knotted with 1-1 slates. On the other hand, Toby’s Sports duo Jonah San Pedro and Javen Sabas went listless.
Action resumes on Saturday as a champion will be crowned.