Pinay beach spikers plot semis showdown

Alas Pilipinas is bent on forging an all-Filipino semifinal in the 20th Asian Games women’s beach volleyball on Wednesday at the Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

Lodged on the same bracket after contrasting pool-stage results, the duo of Sisi Rondina-Rosales and Bernadeth Pons and the tandem of Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara could cross paths in a showdown for a gold medal match berth.

But for that to happen, the Filipinas would have to get through their respective quarterfinals foes first.

Progella and Pagara will get the first shot at a Final Four seat when they face Japan’s Non Matsumoto and Ren Matsumoto at 10 a.m. (Manila time) in the main court.

In the sub-court’s second match, Rosales and Pons face Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphornrapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee.

Progella and Pagara have been flawless so far, winning four straight matches, including a 26-24, 21-18, Round of 16 victory over Hong Kong’s Ngok Lin Chang and Man Ching Wong on Monday. The Pinay pair have yet to surrender a set in the competition.

However, the Alas partners know of the tough challenge of knocking out the host team’s sister act.

The Matsumotos are also undefeated in three outings, although they have yielded a set during pool play.

“It won’t be an easy match but we’ll try our best,” Progella said.

“They may not be that tall, but they are a solid tandem. They’re sisters, so their chemistry is there. In beach volleyball, chemistry is very important.”

Rosales and Pons bounced back big time after a disappointing three-set loss to Kazakhstan to end the group stage last Friday by venting their ire on the Japanese tandem of Sakura Ito and Mayu Sawame, 21-17, 21-15, in the Round of 16.