PINOY bets stood their ground against top-ranked opponents but eventually fell short in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge qualifiers yesterday at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa City.
Anthony Arbasto and Alche Gupiteo duked it out against world No. 157 Yusuke Ishijima and Takumi Takahashi of Japan before running out of steam in the third set of the men’s qualification and dropped an 18-21, 21-19, 11-15 decision.
The Philippine tandem held their own in the three close sets, highlighted by a thrilling 21-19 win in the second frame of the biggest beach volleyball event ever hosted by the country behind the leadership of Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
