Virays sweep way to NCAA finals; Taneos sustain run

MANILA, Philippines - San Beda’s talented twins Maria Jeiziela and Maria Nieza Viray blasted St. Benilde’s Janine Navarro and Melanie Torres, 21-11, 21-19, to roll into the women’s finals via sweep in the NCAA beach volleyball at Boardwalk in Subic, Zambales yesterday.

It was the Virays’ ninth straight victory with San Sebastian’s Grethcel Soltones and Dangie Encarnacion, the reigning back-to-back champions, at second with a 7-1 card and Navarro and Torres at No. 3 with a 7-2 slate.

Perpetual Help, Emilio Aguinaldo College and Arellano U are disputing the last slot in the stepladder semis.

In the other women’s match, Letran downed JRU, 21-7, 21-18 for its third win in nine games. 

Meanwhile, brothers Relan and Rey Jr. Taneo of Perpetual Help recovered from a first set defeat and repulsed their Letran rivals, 14-21, 21-15, 15-12, to stretch their win run to eight for the top seeding and the twice-to-beat edge in men’s Final Four.

A win over EAC, being played at press time, will also net the Las Piñas-based school an outright finals slot while reducing the Final Four into a stepladder semis.

In juniors’ play, defending champion EAC firmed up its hold of the top spot by thwarting Letran, 21-19, 21-19, while San Sebastian foiled former titlist Perpetual, 21-18, 24-22.

The tournament is backed by The Lighthouse, Bayfront Hotel, Subic Park Hotel, Moonbay Villas, LGR, Mikasa, SBMA and ABS-CBN Sports and Action TV.