Manila, Philippines, May 6, 2018 – Japan’s Ayumi Kusano and Takemi Nishibori kept their winning momentum to ensure a top podium finish in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on Sunday.
The second-seeded Kusano/Take scored a successful run with four wins in the main draw and completed it with a 2-0 (21-14, 21-18) win against Spain’s Maria Belen Carro/Paula Soria in the final.
Kusano/Take claimed their first ever World Tour gold since teaming up in five tournaments in their first season. The Japanese pair now have a career 11-8 match record in World Tour events.
Quick links - Beach volleyball:
FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour - Manila
Paraguay’s Erika Bobadilla/Michelle Valiente earned their first medal in their fifth World Tour tournament since they started playing together in 2016. Erika/Michelle salvaged the bronze by beating Japan’s Sakurako Fujii/Shinako Tanaka 2-0 (21-17, 21-16).
Earlier, Kusano/Take survived the all-Japanese semifinal clash with a win over Tanaka/Sakurako 2-0 (21-13, 21-16), while Soria/Carro secured the remaining spot in the final with a victory over Erika/Michelle 2-0 (21-16, 21-15).