Two Negrenses were hailed as the first volleyball champions of the pandemic era.
Abanse Negrense A’s Alexa Polidario and Erjane Magdato completed their perfect campaign in the 2021 Gatorade-PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup. They swept the highly-favored Sta. Lucia A duo of DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia, 21-15, 21-17, Sunday at Subic Tennic Court.
It was a Cinderella run for the team ran by Philippine National Volleyball Federation board member Carmela Gamboa, as they turned to sand superstars overnight.
“Sobrang saya. It’s a blessing kasi kahit first time namin mag-join ng ganitong league, tapos nakuha namin ‘yung championship,” said an emotional Polidario.
“Sabi namin kanina ‘pag championship, all-out na talaga kami. Kaya ‘yun, all-out talaga ginawa ko.“
“Napakasaya sa feeling. Hindi ko ma-explain ‘yung nararamdaman ko, especially ‘yung partner ko,” expressed Magdato.
The duo went a perfect 6-0 campaign in this tournament sponsored by the Subic Bay Management Authority. They were 3-0 in the elimination round, blasting Toby’s Sports in the quarters. They then kicked out Sta. Lucia’s Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete in the Final Four.
On the other hand, it was another bridesmaid finish for Demontano and Estoquia. They finished in second place for the third straight season.
Finishing in third place were Polidario and Magdato’s stablemates Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva, who soundly defeated Pineda and Sabete, 21-13, 22-20.
F2 Logistics’ Kyla Gallego and Jennymar Senares notched fifth place after besting United Auctioneers’ Ella Viray and Theresa Ramas, 21-14, 21-11.
Toby’s Sports notched its only win of the tournament after defeating Kennedy Solar Energy-Petro Gazz, 21-14, 21-14, in the battle for seventh.
The PSL is looking to return to Subic for the 2021 PSL All-Filipino Conference later this year.
