DYNAMIC DUO. Australians Stefanie Fejes (left) and Jana Milutinovic won the women's title in the Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land in Santa Rosa City, Laguna on Sunday (April 7, 2024). They beat compatriots, Jasmine Fleming and Georgia Johnson, 21-19, 25-23, in the final. (PNVF photo)
MANILA – Australians Stefanie Fejes and Jana Milutinovic outplayed compatriots Jasmine Fleming and Georgia Johnson, 21-19, 25-23, to capture the women's crown in the Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open last Sunday at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Fejes and Milutinovic needed 52 minutes to overcome their opponents, who are currently No. 47 in the FIVB world rankings.
“We knew them very well so we knew it was going to be a good matchup,” said the 19-year-old Fejes. “We fought till the end and we played our game.”
Fejes and Milutinovic beat Suzuka Hashimoto and Reika Murakami, 21-12, 21-18, to reach the final round of the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.
Fleming and Johnson, on the other hand, triumphed over Asami Shiba and Saki Maruyama, 21-17, 21-17.
Hashimoto and Murakami prevailed, 21-17, 16-21, 15-12, in the battle for the bronze medal.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab stunned Thailand’s Tipjan Pithak and Taovato Poravid, 21-17, 21-15, to capture the men's crown in the event supported by Foton, Akari, Mikasa, Senoh, Seda, Asics, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports+ and Pilipinas Live.
The Iranians are hoping to qualify for Paris. They have a very good support team for the Asian competition and their quest for an Olympic berth.
“I’m very happy, this is a big win. I dream of going to the Olympics,” said Aghajanighasab after beating the world's No. 44 Thai pair.
Pithak and Poravid survived Australia’s D’Artagnan Potts and Ben Hood, 21-15, 18-21, 15-11, in the semis while Pourasgari and Aghajanighasab conquered Thailand's Surin Jongklang and Dunwinit Kaewsai, 21-13, 21-17.
Potts and Ben Hood downed Jongklang and Kaewsai to secure the bronze medal, 21-15, 21-14. (PNA)
