Fonoimoana-Blanton in Manhattan
It won’t exactly be a quiet, tranquil Olympic send-off for Eric Fonoimoana.
He and his partner, Dain Blanton, play their final tune-up for Sydney in front of what is expected to be a vocal crowd today and tomorrow at the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals Manhattan Beach Open.
Fonoimoana, who attended Mira Costa High and was an assistant coach for five years at the Manhattan Beach school, will have more than a few supporters this weekend.
His relatives are coming from as far away as Danville, and his friends in the region--including people with whom he played or coached--are expected to arrive en masse.
Blanton and Fonoimoana, seeded No. 2 for the Manhattan Beach Open, lost to Jose Loiola and Emanuel Rego, 19-17, in the championship of the U.S. Open last Sunday in Seal Beach.
Loiola and Rego, who will represent Brazil in the Olympics and the top-seeded team this weekend, overcame a number of match points in their 85-minute victory over Blanton and Fonoimoana.
“They’re supposedly the best in the world,” Fonoimoana said. “If that’s true, we’re in position to do some good things in Sydney.”
The Manhattan Beach Open was won last year by David Swatik and Mike Whitmarsh.
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