Alas Pilipinas’ Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella claimed the top spot in Pool G of the women’s beach volleyball event at the 20th Asian Games after edging Hong Kong in straight sets, 21-19, 21-17, on Saturday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court in Japan.
Pagara and Progella were pushed by Wong Man Ching and Tsang Ngok Ling but held their ground in the crucial points to preserve their unbeaten run and secure a favorable position heading into the Round of 16.
They finished the group phase with a 3-0 record after also defeating Maldives and Mongolia, while Hong Kong settled for second place with a 2-1 slate.
Pagara and Progella made quick work of Anal Fathimath and Areesha Aminath of Maldives, 21-6, 21-11, for a dominant start to their Asiad campaign.
Building on that momentum, the Filipino pair then put on another emphatic showing, dominating Mongolia’s Tsolmon Batjargal and Khandsuren, 21-3, 21-3, to set up a virtual battle for first place against Hong Kong.
Pagara and Progella will begin their Round of 16 campaign on Tuesday.
