Viray twins dominant to open BVR: Lingayen Open pool play

Playing with a lot of pride in front of their compatriots, San Beda’s Nieza and Ella Viray overwhelmed Pangasinan 3’s Dada Martin and Jasmin Ocado, 21-7, 21-12, for a winning start in the BVR On Tour: Lingayen Open Tuesday at the Capitol Beachfront.

The Viray twins showcased the stuff that gave their school two NCAA titles to emerge victorious in their Pool A debut.

The Virays later secured a spot in the quarterfinals together with Bea Tan and Dij Rodriguez after Perlas, seeking to rebound from last weekend’s second place finish in Dumaguete, downed Pangasinan 3, 21-12, 21-3.

Pangasinan 2nd District Rep. Leopoldo N. Bataoil took the effort to invite BVR in Lingayen to bring in players from the national level and try playing in the beautiful beach of Lingayen Gulf. He hopes to hone local talents to be part of this national league while promoting sports tourism in the province.

Bataoil and Marlon Domalanta of the province’s Sports Development Center, representing Gov. Amado Espino, attended the opening ceremony and delivered the ceremonial serve along with the Viray twins to formally open the two-day spikefest.

In the men’s division, Air Force 1’s Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria found Army 2’s Jason Uy and Randy Fallorina a tough nut to crack to nut before carving out a 21-23, 21-19, 15-7 victory.

Becaldo and Abria, former two-time Boracay beach volleyball champions, who were reunited and placed second in Dumaguete over the weekend, are installed as heavy favorites.

Bingle Landicho had a successful return in the sand court for NU Boysen 2 with Kath Epa as the duo turned back Rizal Techonological University’s Myla Lim and Hannah Patrocenio, 21-13, 21-11, and so is Kly Orillaneda, who joined forces with Roma Joy Doromal in NU Boysen 1’s 21-10, 21-8 conquest of Air Force 2’s Mikaela Andres and Angel Antipuesto.

Despite the loss, Andres and Antipuesto, who bested Pangasinan 2’s Tricia Abalos and Abigail Guzman, 21-12, 21-12, in their opening Pool B match, remains in quarterfinals contention.

University of the Philippines’ alums Pam Legaspi and Aliyah Ong made quick work of Pangasinan 1’s Lyka Aquino and Princess Cabalteja, 21-9, 21-15, in the other women’s morning match.

Other men’s games saw Army 2’s Jason Uy and Randy Fallorina defeating FEU’s Kevin Hadlocon and Ralph Justin Dablo, 22-20, 21-13, Mapua’s Jeremy Santos and Benneth Abellada beating Baguio’s Jason Salonga and Paul Pangidian, 21-8, 21-9, and Fury’s Greg Utupo and Pemie Bagalay prevailing over RTU’s Peter Galvan and Cesar Sebastian, 21-10, 21-13.

Action resumes Wednesday with the quarterfinals starting at 7:00 am, followed by the semis and finals in the afternoon.