UST headlines BVR: A Christmas Rally semifinalists

Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor of University of Santo Tomas made it to the semifinals after extending their perfect run to three games in the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour December Open 2018: A Christmas Rally, Saturday at the Sands SM By The Bay.

The UAAP Season 81 champions – and third placers in last month’s Dumaguete leg – topped Derie Virtusio and MJ Ebro in an all-UST Maynilad quarterfinals duel, 21-11, 21-13.

Also sporting 3-0 cards after two days of action are BanKo-Perlas 1’s Dzi Gervacio and Bea Tan, who made quick work of BanKo-Perlas 2’s Kathy Bersola and Antonette Landicho, 21-6, 21-12; and Creamline’s Fille Cayetano and Kyla Atienza, who overpowered FEU-Malaya’s Sheila Vallota and Sheena Gallentes, 21-15, 21-4.

The fourth undefeated pair, PetroGazz’s Cienne Cruz and Jonah Sabete, were not as fortunate. They bowed out in the quarters after an impressive 2-0 run in pool play.

NU-Boysen’s Roma Doromal and Kly Orillaneda – who barely made it to the quarters after nipping Air Force’s May Ann Pantino and Jozza Cabalza in their final elimination match Friday – overcame a tough second set to defeat Cruz and Sabete, 21-15, 22-20.

In the women’s semifinals starting at 11 a.m. Sunday, Barbon and Eslapor will play Doromal and Orillaneda; while Gervacio and Tan will take on Cayetano and Atienza in the other pairing.

The gold medal match is scheduled at 6 p.m.

Highlighting the final day is the celebrity match between phenoms Alyssa Valdez and Kiefer Ravena, and beach volleyball poster girl Charo Soriano and national team stalwart John Vic De Guzman.

Proceeds to the 5 p.m. event will go to Mindanao State University-Marawi’s College of Sports, Physical Education and Recreation Academy, to help them fulfill their mission of growing the game of beach volleyball. Tickets for this event are still available at SM Tickets.

The last day of the 10th and final leg of the BVR on Tour will start at 8 a.m. with the men’s quarterfinals.