Sofia Pagara and Khy Progella saw their sizzling run cut short by a controversial officiating blunder, falling to China’s Yu Tong and Jiang Kaiyue, 14-21, 15-21, Thursday in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation Beach Tour Nuvali Open in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The Philippine National Volleyball Federation Invitational champions, fresh off a straight-sets victory in their opening match, were on the verge of claiming a set against the towering Chinese duo when they built a 12-9 lead in the second frame.
However, their momentum was abruptly halted when a line judge called an erroneous ball touch against the Filipinas on a shot that had clearly sailed long.
Progella and Pagara, both standing 5-foot-9, were left stunned by the call, while the home crowd at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts erupted in disbelief.
The controversial decision rattled the Philippine side, leading to a series of errors that allowed the Chinese to string together eight consecutive points and secure their second pool play victory.
“Momentum is everything in beach volleyball, and it was really disheartening. Just when we were getting back into rhythm, one bad call completely turned things around,” said the 19-year-old Progella.
Pagara, 20, and Progella, who previously dominated Malaysia’s Ee Ling Pua and Rachael Go, 21-8, 21-18, ended pool play with a 1-1 record. Despite the setback, the University of Santo Tomas duo vowed to move forward as they brace for the Round of 16 on Thursday.
“Right now, we don’t even want to know who we’re facing next. We just need to rest and reset,” said Pagara.
Meanwhile, the Philippines’ men’s teams endured a tough outing.
Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino struggled against Thailand’s Surin Jongklang and Kittituch Khomkham, falling 14-21, 12-21, to drop to 0-2 in pool play.
Ronniel Rosales and Alex Iraya fought hard against Indonesia’s Yosi Firnanda and Danangsyah Pribadi, nearly forcing a third set but ultimately succumbing, 16-21, 20-22, also slipping to 0-2 in the 44-team, 11-nation tournament.
Elsewhere, Iran’s Ghalehnovi Amirali and Salemiinjehboroun Bahman cruised past China’s Mao Yuan and Lui Yuan, 21-18, 21-7, while Japan’s Kai Kurokawa and Ryuichi Adachi defeated Hong Kong’s Lee Cheukhei and Lee Liftung, 21-14, 21-13.
In other matches, Australia’s Ben Hood and Oliver Merritt eked out a thrilling 19-21, 21-13, 16-14 win over China’s Song Jinyang and Zhang Tai. Japan’s Dylan Kurokawa and Yoshiumi Hasegawa dominated Uzbekistan’s Dilshodbek Tolibaev and Azamat Daulbaev, 21-8, 21-8.
New Zealand’s John McManaway and James Sadlier downed Hong Kong’s Kan Szehang and Wong Chun, 21-17, 21-10, while Japan’s Nassim Malki and Kosuke Fukushima overpowered Uzbekistan’s Mustafoev Golibjon and Nodirjon Alekseev, 21-8, 21-6.
