San Sebastian opens NCAA beach volleyball title bid with win

MANILA, Philippines – San Sebastian's Gretchel Soltones and Dangie Encarnacion turned back Jose Rizal's Maria Shola May Luna Alavarez and Rosalie Pepito, 22-18, 22-17, on Wednesday to jumpstart their title-retention bid in the 91st NCAA women's beach volleyball tournament at the Boardwalk in Subic.

Emilio Aguinaldo's Jaylene May Lumbo and Yvonne Joyce Reyes likewise launched their title campaign by smashing Letran's Julia Angeles and Jan Juno Leal Carreon, 21-15, 21-13, in the event backed by The Lighthouse, Bayfront Hotel, Subic Park Hotel, Moonbay Villas, LGR, Mikasa, SBMA and ABS-CBN Sports and Action.

Also making their presence felt were Arellano U's Regine Arocha and Angelica Sawali, 21-15, 22-20.

In men's play, Perpetual Help's Taneo brothers Relan and Rey, Jr. crushed San Sebastian's Christian Calonia and Jahir Ebrahim, 21-14, 21-11, to set in motion its title bid.

The Taneo siblings were part of the Altas team that recently won the NCAA men's indoor volleyball title by pulling the rug from under last year's winner Emilio Aguinaldo and their play was no less than super.

Last year's titlist, now represented by Racmade Etrona and Isaah O'neal Arda, needed to turn back San Beda's Mark Enciso and Alfie Mascarinas, 13-21, 21-18, 15-9, to open their back-to-back-title campaign.

Other result saw Mapua's Samuel Joseph Almalel and Philip Michael Bagalay defeating Letran's Bobby Gatdula and Harold Reyes, 21-15, 21-14.