Arellano tandem downs Perpetual, cops volley crown

MANILA, Philippines - Arellano U’s Chris Salvador and John Lozada brought down Perpetual Help’s Ralph Sevillano and Jay dela Cruz, 21-12, 21-17, to rule the men’s division of the 86th NCAA beach volleyball competition at the La Salle-Greenhills sand court yesterday.

It was a fitting triumph for the Chiefs, who won it in only their second season in the league and via an impressive 10-game sweep.

The Legarda-based school also became the second team to win a title this season after St. Benilde lorded it over the field in the seniors’ chess competitions two weeks ago.

“We’re proud of their accomplishment,” said Peter Cayco, Arellano U’s Management Committee member.

Perpetual Help’s Keshia de Luna and April Sartin beat Letran’s Gena Andaya and Manel Carolino, 21-19, 21-18, to nail the women’s crown.

De Luna later bagged the MVP honors.

“It was sentimental for me because this is my last season but it was a team effort with God’s blessing,” said de Luna, a graduating Education student.

The day, however, belonged to Arellano U, which made up for a sorry loss to the Letran Knights in the finale last year.

“We’re really happy because this is our school’s first title since joining the NCAA last year,” said Salvador, a 21-year-old HRM student who was named MVP in the men’s side.

The Chiefs barged into the finals after beating St. Benilde’s Chad de Castro and Jayson Abraham, 21-10, 21-10.

In junior’s action, Perpetual Help made it a twin kill after eventual MVP John Erickson Francisco and Louwie Chavez walloped San Sebastian’s PJ Rojas and Harold Nacino, 23-21, 21-10.

Perpetual Help thus became the most successful team in the beach volley competitions after a pair of championships and a runner-up finish.