Soriano-Micek posts gorgeous win in Boracay beach volley

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines – Charo Soriano and Alexa Micek powered their way to victory with an imposing 21-15, 21-16 triumph over Camille Abanto and Judy Ann Caballejo during the Boracay leg finals of the Beach Volleyball Republic On Tour.

But the route to the leg championship held at the Pearl of the Pacific on this island paradise was anything but well paved for Soriano and Micek in the meet presented by PLDT Home Ultera and backed by C500 Juice Drink.

They had to battle back in the semifinals after losing the opening set to arrange that tight finale against Abanto, a former FEU stalwart, and UST’s Caballejo.

``I’m glad we won but looking back, I know there are things we can do to improve and win more smoothly,’’ said Micek.

``I think we have a good chance for a finals appearance if we focus on being physically efficient and mentally tough,’’ added the North Carolina U power spiker who hails from Ventura County, California.

Jennifer Cosas of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos and Apple Saraum of University of Southern Philippine Foundation made life difficult for the tandem of Soriano and Micek before the latter eventually pulled off a come-from-behind 13-21, 21-16, 15-11 win in the semis.

Caballejo and Abanto had practically gone through the same scary path when they survived Bea Tan of BVR-Ateneo and Fiola Ceballos of Central Philippine University, 16-21, 21-13, 16-14, in another thrilling semifinal triple-setter.

It was actually a redemption of sorts for Soriano, a former Ateneo indoor volley standout, and Micek after they lost in the finals of the recent leg in Clark against NCAA champions Gretchel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa.

``For me, this leg was the most competitive leg yet. Admittedly, we need to improve on defense and game consistency. We need to work harder and perform our best in the national finals,’’ said Soriano.

The seventh leg has been scheduled in Siquijor this month prior to the championship leg at the Sands at SM Moa By The Bay on May 25-28 when the top 16 teams dispute the title in the Tour also supported by ARG Lumiere, New Era, Delimondo, Foton Motors Philippines, Royce Hotel and Casino and Midori Hotel-Casino.

The BVR is a league formed by beach volley standouts Gretchen Ho, Fille Cainglet-Cayetano, Dzi Gervacio, Tan, Soriano and Micek.

ABS-CBN Sports+Action is the official broadcast partner of the BVR with live telecast during the finals.