University of St. La Salle standouts Sheryl June Denila and Jerriz Joy Solis hardly showed the nerves that usually bug newcomers, coming away with a tough three-set win over Foundation University yesterday at the start of the 12th Nestea Beach Volley Visayas Eliminations at the USLS sandcourt in Bacolod City.

Denila and Solis showed grit and stamina in a 21-19, 18-21, 15-13 victory over Maria Antonia Gabiligno and Elenie Perew.

La Salle’s men’s squad was not as lucky as the duo of Marlon Luces and Mark Sabusap yielded a three-setter to University of San Jose-Recoletos.

Luces suffered a foot injury when he accidentally stepped on a sharp stone on the sand during the game against USJ-R, which won its first assignment against Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod (21-13, 21-11).

USLS volleyball coach Malot Lozada said Luces’ game was affected by the injury but she is optimistic that the pair will be able to win their next assignment.

Women’s national defending champions Janez Armie Igot and Jusabelle Brillo of University of Visayas smashed Julie Anne Billote and Jenny Torres of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, 21-11, 21-14, to keep their bid for back-to-back titles alive.

Jose Marie Etcobanez and Jade Becaldo replicated the feat for UV in the men’s division by thrashing St. Gabriel College in the opener, 21-12, 21-7.

University of Southern Philippines Foundation also scored twin victories with its women’s team beating University of San Agustin (21-19, 21-14) and Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion (21-15. 21-19) in the men’s category.

Other first day winners were University of Iloilo in both men’s and women’s divisions against Iloilo Doctors College; FU men’s and women’s (against UV and IDC); Southwestern University women’s (against UI); CPC men’s team (against UNO-R); University of San Agustin men’s (against UI).

The top three teams in the tournament advance to the national finals on April 26 in Boracay Island.*NAB

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