H

and claps and happy chants helped send Indonesian top-tier team Andy Ardiansyah and Koko Prasetyo Darkuncoro to victory in the fourth series of the Asia Pacific Beach Volleyball tournament.

Junior team Suratna and Dian Putra Santoso, however, had to be content with fourth place.

Andy/Koko beat Iranians Parvis Farrokhi and Agha Mohammad Salagh 18-21, 21-19, 16-14 in the final, marking their third win in this year's event, after settling as runners-up in the second series. The first three series were all held in Thailand.

The team received US$2,500 for their win Tuesday, to add to the $2,300 they won in the first, $1,700 as runners-up in the second, and $2,300 in the third series.

"We're so grateful about winning despite our fatigue," said Koko, who has competed with Andy since the first series kicked off April 4.

The duo's stamina appeared to drop in the first two sets. They lost the first set and looked like they were headed for defeat, until they tied the score at 18-18 in the next set. But they overpowered their opponents for a smashing victory.

"Fortunately we got great support from the spectators. We really wanted to win, that was our motivation to get back on our feet, and we finally won," Koko said.

Iranian team coach Hamid Movahedi said, "Our team has met Andy and Koko 10 times so far. *Parvis and Agha* have not won even once."

Indonesian team coach Bambang Eko Suhartawan said they were looking forward to participating in the upcoming World Tour.

"Hopefully they can join the World Tour in the Netherlands, from July to August. We're still looking for ways to fund their trip."

Second-stringers Suratno and Dian Putra lost in the semis to Iranian pair Raoufi Rahman and Assari Narini Reza 21-17, 29-31, 14-16.

"They still need to improve their stamina," coach Bambang said.

In the women's division, first-stringers Devota Saveriana Rahawarin and Ayu Cahyaning Siam lost in the final to Thailand's Julalak Radarong and Maneerat Udomchavee in straight sets, 21-14, 21-14.

"They didn't have enough time to prepare. But they fulfilled the target of at least reaching the final," said women's coach Agus Salim.