MANILA – Petron XCS surged to its third consecutive championship in the women’s category of the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup at the Capitol Beach Front in Lingayen, Pangasinan.
Negrense Bernadeth Pons and new partner Floriemel Rodriguez retained the women’s crown on Saturday after a 21-10, 21-14 domination on Sta. Lucia Santorini of Ilonggas Jackie Estoquia and Dhanylaine Demontaño.
Despite being new partners, Pons and Rodriguez quickly imposed their presence on Estoquia and Demontano with a 11-4 start in the opening set.
“Ang bilin sa amin ni Sisi (Rondina) ay i-defend ang crown,” Pons said.
Rondina was unable to play in the tournament after steering University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses to a runner-up finish in UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball.
On their way to the championship round, Pons and Rodriguez edged Sta. Lucia Woodside’s Bianca Lizares and Jennifer Cosas, while Estoquia and Demontano defeated Petron Sprint 4T-UST’s Derie Rose Virtusio Merry Rose Jauculan.
Lizares and Cosas, who both traced their roots in Negros Occidental, was able to salvage a third place finish for Sta. Lucia Woodside after beating Virtusio and Jauculan in three sets.
Meanwhile, Edmar Bonono and Ram Abdilla of the Cignal HD Spikers emerged the champions in men’s division after defeating Foton’s Kris Roy Guzman and Ephraim Dimaculangan, 21-18, 19-21, 15-13./PN
