THE HARBOR Pilot – Cebu women’s beach volleyball duo of Rae Ramas and Dij Rodriguez remained gracious in defeat after falling short in the semifinals of the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) On Tour International last Sunday in Santa Ana, Cagayan.
The pair of Ramas and Rodriguez placed fourth overall in the tournament despite finishing on top of their pool before the start of the semis action.
“We played just to enjoy and also entertain the people watching us,” Rodriguez, a former key piece in the puzzle of Southwestern University’s glorious title run in the Cesafi women’s volleyball tournament, said. “We didn’t expect to make it to the top four with other big international teams joining, but we just gave our all out there.”
PNP Tagum’s Lot Catubag and Karen Quilario dominated the tournament and bagged the $3,500 cash prize after pulling off a 21-14, 21-14 victory over Iloilo in the championship game.
The Iloilo team of DM Demontaño and Jackie Estoquia blanked Harbor Pilot – Cebu in the semifinals, 21-16, 21-19, before the Tuguegarao tandem of Bea Tan and Charo Soriano beat the Cebu squad in the bronze medal match.
Tan and Soriano got their sweet revenge over Ramas and Rodriguez after the Cebuanas defeated them in the pool stage just before the start of the semis.
In the men’s division, Cebuanos Kevin Juban and Raphy Abanto settled for second place after losing to Malaysia, 17-21, 18-21.