Manzano, Senupe crowned Petron volleyball champs

DASMARIÑAS, Cavite, Philippines – Jennifer Manzano and Satchel Senupe overpowered the opposition from beginning to end, including their De La Salle University-Dasmariñas schoolmates Iari Yongco and Giselle Bembo, 21-10, 21-15, in the best-of-three finale Saturday to clinch the third-leg crown of the 2011 Petron Ladies’ Beach Volleyball Tournament here.

The win allowed Manzano and Senupe, playing for DLSU-D 1, to regain a leg crown they lost to Far Eastern University’s Shaira Gonzales and Shed de la Peña last year in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

When Yongco and Bembo, playing for DLSU-D 2, forced a 15-all deadlock in the second set, Manzano and Senupe unraveled their power spikes, which forced their rivals into a series of errors.

This allowed Manzano and Senupe to take the game’s last six points en route to the win that assured them an automatic seat in the Battle of Champions to be held in Puerto Princesa City this October.

The La Salle-Dasma tossers, who won all of their six games here, will now prepare for the World Universiade this August in Shenzen, China.

“Practice na rin ito sa pagpunta namin sa China. Masaya ito dahil second time na naming nag-champion as a leg titlist,” said Senupe, who with Manzano, also won the Battle of Champions title last year in Puerto Princesa, where they beat Letran standouts Gena Andaya and Marinelle Jane Carolino, 21-11, 21-18, in the finals.

The 5’10” Manzano and Senupe reached the final round after warding off University of the East’s Francislyn Cais and Lorie Longalong, 21-9, in the semifinals of this spikefest supported Molten Balls, Petron and Speedo.

The 5’11” Yongco and Bembo fought their way to the championship round after they turned back UE duo Jimberly Dizon and Jessica Paron, 21-18.

Manzano blocked three of Yongco’s spikes in the first set to quell an uprising from DLSU-D 2, which threatened to within 9-10. An ace and three more power smashes from Manzano allowed La Salle-Dasma 1 to take a decisive 15-9 spread en route to the victory.