By Jerome Lagunzad
University of Santo Tomas star Sisi Rondina and former Ateneo standout Dzi Gervacio pulled the rug from under the fancied American duo of Lindsey Fuller and Kaley Melville, 21-12, 21-16, yesterday as the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open got going at the Sands by The Bay.
Unfazed by their rivals’ advantage in terms of height, the Filipinas made sure they would keep the country’s tricolors fluttering behind their strong plays on both ends under the scorching heat of the sun.
The victory should be a perfect booster for Rondina and Gervacio as they brace themselves for another tough grind later in the day against Spanish duo Paula Soria Guttierez and Maria Belen Caro, who turned back South Africa’s Simone Sittig and Luciana Pierangeli, 21-8, 21-9, earlier.
The Pinays led by as many as five points at 13-8 in the opening set then fended off the Americans’ rally with crafty attacks. Rondina and Gervacio trailed early on in the second frame but willed their way back for a big 17-10 advantage on the way to a resounding victory in the one-star tourney which dangles a top purse of $10,000.
“We just played our usual game,” said Rondina, a three-time UAAP beach volleyball champion. “Honestly, I tried my best not to be intimidated by their height advantage. I just wanted to showcase the Filipinos’ big fighting heart.”
Rondina and Gervacio also gave the local crowd something to cheer about after their fellow Pinays fell by the wayside, including wildcard entries DM Demontaño and Jackie Estoquia who absorbed a 21-19, 21-13 setback to the top-ranked tandem of Paraguay’s Michelle Amarilla and Erika Bobadilla
Beach Volleyball Republic founders Charo Soriano and Bea Tan also suffered the same tough fate against Japanese counterparts Ayumi Kusano and Takemi Nishibori, 21-10, 21-9.
