There was no heartbreak this time for University of St. La Salle's Marlon Luces and Mark Sabusap.

After falling short by one win last year, the La Salle pair clinched a spot in the national finals of the 12th Nestea Beach Volley Tournament after finishing third place in the Visayas eliminations at the USLS sandcourt in Bacolod City.

The La Sallians avenged their first day loss to University of San Jose Recoletos, 21-18, 18-21, 15-9, before smashing University of San Agustin, 17-21, 21-18, 15-11, to secure the last berth to Boracay Island from April 24-27.  

"It was a hard-earned victory for the host team and they finally made it after three years of trying to get into the national finals," USLS volleyball assistant coach Malot Lozada said.

With 16 days to go before the national showdown in Boracay Island, she said both Luces and Sabusap have to practice hard and correct their serving errors to get a crack at the title.

They have to improve their service and to be consistent in their game as both are strong receivers and spikers, Lozada said, adding that the Visayas teams remain as the top contenders for the national championship.

Claiming top honors was University of Southern Philippines-Foundation, which overcame Foundation University, 21-19, 21-16, in the finals.

The University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos tandem of Julie Anne Billote, however, missed out on the women's finals, after bowing to University of Southern Philippines-Foundation, 21-19, 21-17.

University of Visayas' Janez Armie Igot and Jusabelle Brillo retained their title after downing Southwestern University. Still, SWU's Janelle Tabio and Florian Gutierrez clinched a place in the national finals.*NAB

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