MANILA – Negrense Bernadeth Pons and Cherry Rondina of Petron dominated the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour Gran Ola Lianga leg in Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
Pons and Rondina captured the women’s championship on Sunday via a 21-13, 21-19 sweep of Perlas Lady Spikers’ Angelique Gervacio and Dij Rodriguez in the gold medal round.
Rondina and Pons took all of the six matches, but they were tested by Gervacio and Rodriguez in the biggest stage played under rainy conditions.
With the score knotted at 7-7 in the second frame, Rondina and Pons pulled away and moved closer to championship point, 20-15. Gervacio and Rodriguez rallied to within 19-20 but Rodriguez’s hit went outside, handing the win to Petron.
Rondina and Pons won all of their Pool A matches, including a 21-6, 21-7 sweep over MJ Ebro and Tricia Yap, while Gervacio and Rodriguez also went 4-0 in Pool B, including a 21-10, 21-14 sweep over Derie Virtusio and Mer Jauculan.
In the semifinals, Rondina and Pons made quick work of Virtusio and Jauculan, 21-8, 21-7, while Gervacio and Rodriguez withstood a gallant stand from UST 1’s Babylove Barbon and Gen Eslapor, 21-18, 19-21, 15-12.
Barbon and Eslapor, which will spearhead UST Golden Tigresses’ title defense in UAAP Season 82 women’s beach volleyball later this month, defeated Virtusio and Jauculan, 21-12, 21-15, to capture third place./PN
