UST's Rondina, Barbon rout NU foes in BVR opener

MANILA, Philippines – University of Santo Tomas' Sisi Rondina and Babylove Barbon opened their new partnership with an impressive 21-11, 21-6 romp of National University's Klymince Orilleneda and Antonnete Landicho in the Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour Manila Open Friday at Sands SM By The Bay.

Rondina and Barbon, who are at the forefront of the Tigresses’ bid for a third consecutive UAAP beach volleyball crown next month, are looking good in their debut, clicking well as if the two are longtime partners.

Perlas' Dzi Gervacio and Bea Tan made quick work of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta's Princess Deana Estanislao and Janine Padue, 21-7, 21-6, to set motion their title campaign.

Gervacio and Tan, veterans of many sand court battles, are tipped to challenge Rondina and Barbon for the championship.

In other morning women's results, Smart's Grethcel Soltones and Alyssa Eroa topped Air Force's Anna Abanto and Jennifer Manzano-Acain, 21-13, 21-11, while UST 2's Gen Eslapor and MJ Ebro nipped University of the Philippines' Jessma Ramos and Justine Dorog 22-20, 21-19. 

The 16-team competition will be divided into four brackets, where the top two teams in each groups after the single-round preliminaries advance in the knockout quarter?nals. The semifinals and finals are also one-match affairs.

The winner in the three-day, double gender tournament will claim the P20,000 top prize.  Admission is free.