Siblings dominate Mapua rivals, keep Altas at helm

MANILA, Philippines - Brothers Relan and Rey Taneo of Perpetual Help overpowered Mapua’s Philip Bagalay and Samuel Almales, 21-15, 21-19, in a duel of unbeaten teams to seize the solo lead in the NCAA men’s beach volley at Boardwalk in Subic Bay, Zambales yesterday.

Twins Maria Jeiziela and Maria Nieza Viray of San Beda, on the other hand, continued to sizzle in their side of the battle, beating Letran’s Julia Angeles and Regielyn Cabrera, 25-23, 21-13, to stretch their unbeaten run to six.

The Taneos’ win put the Las Piñas-based squad a win away from clinching a Final Four berth in the event backed by The Lighthouse, Bayfront Hotel, Subic Park Hotel, Moonbay Villas, LGR, Mikasa, SBMA and ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

The Cebu-based Taneos are also eyeing a stint straight to the finals with a sweep of the elims that would pave the way for the stepladder semis.

“We’re starting to feel it,” said Rey, eyeing to make it back-to-back after nailing the NCAA indoor volley crown in a shock win over fancied Emilio Aguinaldo College recently.

Meanwhile, San Sebastian’s Grethcel Soltones and Dangie Encarnacion, the reigning back-to-back champions, rebounded from a loss to the Virays as they slammed St. Benilde’s Jannine Navarro and Melanie Torres, 21-13, 21-14, to tie their victims at 5-1.

“Somehow it feels good but the tournament is not yet over, we still have work to do,” said Soltones, seeking a three-peat feat in this annual event organized by Jose Rizal’s Paul Supan.

In juniors’ play, Perpetual Help and defending champion EAC stayed on top with 5-0 cards.

Like their senior counterparts, the Junior Altas hope to add the beach volley crown to their indoor title they won over the Brigadiers also last month.