Close PSL race looms as champs split up

MANILA, Philippines - Last year’s champions Danika Gendrauli and Noree Jane Diaz part ways as they seek a second straight championship with separate partners in the Philippine Superliga beach volleyball tournament beginning tomorrow at the Sands SM by the Bay at the Mall of Asia grounds.

Gendrauli is linking up with Abi Marano in F2 Logistics while Diaz will be with Pau Soriano in Navy-Standard Insurance A as they launch their respective bids against a field teeming with talent and rich in beach volley experience.

“I would have loved to play with her again but she’s with the Navy now,” said Gendrauli of Diaz, who played together for Gilligan’s and won last year’s crown by beating Foton’s Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos.

Marano will give Gendrauli another spiking threat, which will be a contrast of styles to Diaz’s quickness and superb court coverage.

Also, Marano is practically a newbie in the sport after starting to take the game only this year by playing in the Beach Volleyball Republic.

“I’m beginning to love the sport and I hope we do good in my first try here in Superliga,” Marano, for her part, said.

For Diaz, Soriano could be a perfect combination to her style of play as the latter, a former Adamson star, plays like the power-hitting Gendrauli.

“We’re confident of our chances,” said Diaz.

Jovelyn Gonzaga will be another player to watch for as she will play side by side with Nene Bautista for RC Cola-Army.

Gonzaga, who helped steer the Lady Troopers to the foreign-flavored PSL Invitationals a couple of months back, is considered the best beach volley player today, having won three championships in the Nestea event and one in BVR.

“I haven’t lost a single game in beach volleyball yet,” said Gonzaga.

Santo Tomas standout Cherry Rondina will make her PSL debut as she plays for Foton with Patty Orendian.

Other participants are Petron’s Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Sheila Pineda, Mapua’s Shaira Hermano and Danielle Ramilo.

Meralco, Cignal and Accel are also fielding teams in the tournament to be aired live on TV5 and Aksyon TV 41.