Prized recruits banner Stags’ title defense bid

The new kids on the block made their presence felt for San Sebastian Manila yesterday.

Showing great teamwork under the blazing sun, Arman Canilang and Jershon del Rosario defeated their foes from Adamson, 21-19, as SSC Manila ignited its title retention campaign in the men’s division of the Nestea Beach Volley 2004 at the Rockwell Center sand court.

Canilang and Del Rosario were still playing indoor volleyball when SSC Manila defeated University of San Jose Recoletos of Cebu for the 2003 men’s title in Boracay. The previous winning pair of Orlan Malazab and Raffy Mosuela have both finished their studies.

Canilang and Del Rosario, however, are just as determined to win it all this year. And it showed yesterday at the start of the event’s Luzon elims.

"We’re hoping that we can do it," said Canilang in Pilipino.

After a slow start which had them trailing, 2-4, the San Sebastian spikers picked up their game. They took an 8-6 lead and held match point at 20-17 before their opponents made a last-ditch stand at 20-19.

A service error by Adamson’s Limwel Gatchalian who teamed up with Sherwin Meneses signalled the end of the match which used the 21-point, single-set format where a point is being awarded for every ball in play (no side-outs needed).

"It was quite windy and the sand court a little soft. Maybe we can play better in our next game," added Canilang who played with Del Rosario as San Sebastian finished runner-up to St. Benilde in the NCAA beach volley finals last week at the La Salle Greenhills sand court.

Fresh from their NCAA victory, St. Benilde crushed Bulacan State University, 21-5, on the first day of Nestea event sponsored by Speedo, Cebu Pacific, Mikasa, Coppertone, Shakey’s, SMART, Power Plant Mall, Ayala Center in Cebu and TGI Friday’s.

Other winners in the men’s side were Central Colleges of the Philippines over Baguio College Foundation, 25-23; University of the Philippines over San Sebastian Cavite, 21-10; La Salle Taft over UP Los Baños, 21-14; and PATTS Aeronautical School over Ateneo de Naga, 21-14.

In the women’s side, the winners as of presstime were Letran over Philippine Normal University, 21-12; University of Baguio over University of Asia Pacific, 21-15; Philippine Christian University Manila over St. Louis University, 21-6;

St. Jude College over Baguio College Foundation, 21-4; SSC Cavite over Ateneo de Naga, 21-10; St. Benilde over Emilio Aguinaldo college, 21-12; Philippine School of Busines Arts over UP, 21-13; and Adamson over Lyceum, 21-7.

There are 32 teams competing in the Luzon elims – 16 in each division. They were divided into four groups with each team playing three games. The top eight will reach the quarterfinals (1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6 and 4 vs 5) with the top four making it to the semis and finals in Boracay in April 14 to 16.

The Visayas elims featuring 24 teams and the Mindanao elims with 16 teams will be held at the Ayala Center in Cebu on March 12 to 14. The top four men’s and women’s teams from the Visayas and Mindanao will also go to Boracay wher the two champions will receive P100,000 each.