ni MC @Sports News | Nov. 9, 2024
Photo: Sina Zeng Jinjin at Xue Chen ng China sa mainit na laban sa 2024 Asian Beach Volleyball Championships sa Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna. (Gen Villota)
Nagmartsa sa quarterfinals ang Olympian at continental champions ng China dahil sa lakas na ipinakita kontra Alas Pilipinas Women sa Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships sa Nuvali Sand Courts sa City of Santa Rosa.
Nakausad na sina Xia Xinyi at Xue Chen, kapwa Paris Olympians at winners ng Asian Seniors 2023 sa Pingtan sa round of eight kasabay ng pakay sa titulo. Pinahirapan din nina Xia at Wang Jingzhe sina Gen Eslapor at Kly Orillaneda, 21-13, 21-8 para sa playoffs.
Nanatiling matibay si Xue, ang Olympic bronze medalist at dating world champion at target din ang titulo nang gapiin ng tambalan nila Zeng Jinjin ang Alas Pilipinas’ teen tandem nina Khylem Progella at Sofiah Pagara, 21-14, 21-11.
Naunang lumamang ang Air Force pair nina Eslapor at Orillaneda sa 5-3, pero ang lakas at determinasyon nila ay hindi sapat para tapatan ang Chinese spikers. “We wanted a good start and we did, but we just lost steam because it’s not easy trying to match the game of these veterans,” ayon kay Orillaneda.
Kumpiyansa si Eslapor na mahahasa sila sa nakaharap na Chinese players sa torneo na itinaguyod din ng Nuvali, Ayala Land, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, City of Santa Rosa, One Sports Plus, Pilipinas Live, Asian Volleyball Confederation at ng Philippine National Volleyball Federation.
“We played with nothing to lose, everything to gain. The important thing was we did out best because we were given an opportunity to face players of their level,” saad ni Eslapor.
Brilyo ang naging laro ng 18-year-old na si Progella at ng19-year-old na si Pagara pero malakas ang kontrol ng Chinese six-footers sa 31-minuto na hampasan match sa torneo na itinaguyod ng Philippine National Volleyball Federation at ng Asian Volleyball Confederation ni Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
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