Brillo and Saraum retain Rider Beach Volley title

CEBU, Philippines - The tandem of ex-national team members Jusabelle Brillo and Apple Saraum of White Sands once again flexed their athletic muscles as they retain their title in the 2nd Rider Beach Volley tournament, yesterday at the Green Lagoon Park in Compostela, Cebu.

Crowd darlings Brillo and Saraum upended Southwestern University’s Therese Rae Ramas and Janelle Cabahug, 21-14, 21-15 to win the championship trophy.

The White Sands finished the elimination with a perfect 4-0 record including a win over the duo of Isabel Molde and Dianae Mae Carlos of University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

 In the semis, Brillo and Saraum scored a lopsided 21-11, 21-17 victory over Tejero Volleyball Club’s Rochelle Rica and Jelle Murpos.

Meanwhile, Ramas and Cabahug also prevailed against the UP tandem, 11-21, 21-16, 15-13, to arrange a finals showdown against the White Sands.

But exhaustion caught up with the duo of Ramas and Cabahug which gave White Sands an advantage as the latter cruised to 2-0 set win.

Molde and Carlos snared the third place trophy after a 21-17, 21-18 triumph over Tejero Volleyball Club.

Aside from the UP Maroons, other UAAP squad that participated in the tournament include Far Eastern University’s Toni Rose Basas and Jonabelle Diola.

The grand winner received P15,000, while the second and third placers pocketed P10,000 and P5,000, respectively.

The Rider Beach Volley is one of the sporting events that spiced up the 2016 Ipanema Summer Sunscream, the country's biggest music festival.  (FREEMAN)