Petron’s Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons put on a show, zooming their way to the semifinals of the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour Gran Ola Saturday in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
Displaying their worth that gave the Philippines a quarterfinals berth in the FIVB World Tour Boracay Open 1-Star last May , Rondina and Pons cruised past Lianga 1’s Angel Bolongaita and Lorgeline Galve, 21-7, 21-4; and Jose Maria College’s Kristine Deguinon and Daphne Doblado, 21-7. They then survived a tough first set to beat University of Santo Tomas 1’s Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor, 21-16, 21-8.
In the men’s division, American Olympian David McKienzie, together with his Malaysian partner Raja Nazmi, displayed his old form despite a year-long lay-off in the sand court.
McKienzie and Nazmi turned back Far Eastern University 1’s Jude Garcia and Doy Barrica, 21-18, 21-17, for a winning start in Pool D play.
Familiar with Rondina’s tendencies, Barbon and Eslapor were in the game in the opening set before the UAAP Season 81 MVP took over.
Cashing in on the Tigresses’ spate of errors in the second frame, coupled with their solid attacking game, Rondina and Pons got the straight-sets win to remain unbeaten in Pool A.
Perlas’ Dzi Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez were solid in Pool B, beating Lianga 2’s Leah Mae Pontillo and Jeah Navarro, 21-4, 21-6; and NU-Boysen’s Andrea Abian and Chlea dela Fuente, 21-5, 21-8.
UST 2’s Derie Virtusio and Mer Jauculan also went 2-0 in Pool B, outlasting Sta. Lucia’s Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño, 15-21, 27-25, 21-19; after topping NU-Boysen, 21-5, 21-7, in the opener.
Tigers’ KR Guzman and Krung Arbasto served notice to their men’s championship aspirations, advancing to the next round after sweeping Pool A.
Guzman and Arbasto first beat FEU 2’s Kevin Hadlocon and Edelberto Denoy, Jr., 21-18, 21-17, before returning with a 21-17, 23-21 decision over Singapore’s Poon Pei Jie and Nicholas Kiu.
The final day of action begins at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, as there will be an men’s exhibition match featuring a BVR participant and Lianga’s Magnus Gascon and Gregbon Lanugonz, as well as a Sandroots clinic.
