Abanse Negrense squads off to hot start in Challenge Cup

Abanse Negrense teams got off to a surprisingly hot start in the 2020 Gatorade-Philippine Superliga (PSL) Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup bubble on Friday at the SBMA Sands Court in Subic, Zambales. 

Alexa Polidario and Erjane Magdato of Abanse Negrense A stunned veteran campaigners Bang Pineda and Jonah Sabete of Sta. Lucia B, 21-14, 21-12, to nab the solo lead in Pool A with a 2-0 record. 

Polidario and Magdato earlier mauled Kyla Gallego and Jennymar Senares of F2 Logistics, 21-15, 21-12, in the morning session of the first day of the first volleyball tournament to be held amid the COVID pandemic. 

For their part, Jennifer Cosas and Gelimae Villanueva of Abanse Negrense B  pulled the rug from under title favorites DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia of Sta. Lucia A, 6-21, 21-14, 15-11, to climb atop Pool B. 

It was a fitting follow-up to the Negrense tandem's 21-13, 21-12 rout of United Auctioneers' Ella Viray and Theresa Ramas earlier.  

"We adjusted in receiving and setting late in the game after a slow start. But more than the win, we're just honored to be part of this historic event," said Cosas. 

At the end of Day 1, the Sta. Lucia squads settled for a tie at No. 2 with F2 Logistics in Pool A and United Auctioneers in Pool B. 

The Cargo Movers' Senares and Gallego made quick work of guest team Kennedy Solar Energy-PetroGazz's Christina Canares and Ariane Alarcon, 21-9, 21-6. 

Viray and Ramas of the Auctioneers bounced back from their opening game loss at the expense of Jonah San Pedro and Javen Sabas of Toby's Sports, 21-16, 21-15.