MANILA, Philippines — Pinataob nina Elizabeth Alchin at Georgia Johnson ng Australia sina Asami Shiba at Reika Murakami ng Japan, 21-17, 17-21, 15-11, para masungkit ang tansong medalya sa Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open kahapon sa Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Kinailangan ng Australian pair na malusutan ang matikas na hamon ng Japanese tandem upang masiguro ang podium finish sa event na ginanap sa world-class Nuvali Sand Courts.
“It’s important in this sport to not let those things affect our process. We try not to get frustrated. As long as it’s fair among the teams, it is what it is,” wika ni Johnson.
Nahulog sa battle-for-bronze sina Johnson at Alchin matapos matalo sa semifinals laban kina New Zealand bets Shaunna Polley at Olivia MacDonald, 16-21, 21-23, sa event na inorganisa ni Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara na siya ring AVC head.
Umabante naman sa finals sina Stefanie Fejes at Jasmine Fleming ng Australia na nanaig kina Shiba at Murakami, 26-24, 24-22, sa hiwalay na semis game.
Sa men’s division, pasok sina Australians Paul Burnett at Luke Ryan sa finals nang patumbahin nito ang kababayan at Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Champions na sina D’Artagnan Potts at Jack Pearse, 21-16, 21-5.
Naisaayos naman ang all-Australian title showdown nina Ben Hood at Oliver Merritt na nanalo kina Iranians Amerali Ghalehnovi at Bahman Salemiinjehboroun, 21-12, 21-16.