PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN – The Philippine-Turbo team proved its mastery over the Philippine-Envirotech, posting a 13-6 win in the final to rule Pilipinas International Beach Sports Festival for the second straight year yesterday at the Baywalk Park here.
Turbo, who downed Envirotech last year in Anvaya Cove, leaned on newcomers Maui Valdez, Mico Anota, Paolo Serrano and Aljon Salonga – all members of the national team – to prevail in the event backed by City Mayor Luis Marcaida III.
The two teams arranged a rematch after beating their respective opponents in the semifinals with Envirotech downing Sureshots Sportsville, 10-7, and Turbo beating Hong Kong, 4-2.
Turbo also won against Shanghai in the quarterfinals, 16-13, while Envirotech won against Guam B owing to a superior quotient after a 6-6 draw in their match in this three-day tournament organized by Optimum Sports and backed by AirAsia.
“We’re happy in successfully hosting this event,” said Marcaida. “We’re hoping to continue our program because we want to bring back that tag that our city is the ‘Sports Capital’ of the country. This is just the first.”
Hong Kong defeated Sureshots, 11-8, in the battle for third place.
Meantime in the exhibition match Masters – a 35-and-up event – the Dale Evangelista-led Sureshots humbled the visiting Guam, 15-11.
In the Open Water Swimming event, national team players Roy Cañete and Courtney Tan-Gray rule the men’s and women’s of the 10-kilometer category, Ivan Krystoffer Aurello and Samantha Borlain in the 5k, Kurt Bucasas and Tara Borlain in the 14-17 years-old 2.5k, Rogel Aboratigue Jr. and Maglia Jaye Dignadice in the 11-13 500-meter, and Alexander Austria and Franchezka Borlain in the 10-under 500m.