A TOTAL of 48 local and international teams will gather in Boracay as the Beach Volleyball Republic hosts the International Volleyball Federation Beach Volleyball World Tour from May 23 to 26 at the White Beach House in Station 1.
Several top-notch pairs will represent the country, including University Athletic Association of the Philippine Season 81 Most Valuable Player Sisi Rondina of University of Santo Tomas and Petron spiker Bernadeth Pons in the women’s side.
There will be 28 teams in the men’s division, while 20 pairs will be competing in the women’s division of the tournament that offers FIVB points for the world rankings.
BVR cofounder Bea Tan said the competition is a platform to further promote beach volleyball in the country.
“We’re looking at this FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour as a long-term project. We want to annually hold this big tournament which is not only an opportunity for our beach volleyball aficionados but also for the international community to take notice of the potential of the Philippines as a beach volleyball hub,” Tan said.
Tan will also compete with her Negros Occidental teammate Dij Rodriguez, along with Genesa Eslapor and Belove Barbon of UST, DM Demontano and Jackie Estiquia and Fiola Ceballos and Patty Orendain of Iloilo and Negros Occidental, respectively.
In the men’s side, Jade Becaldo and Mike Abria will banner Cebu. Ranran Abdilla and Jesse Lopez will lead National University and James Buytrago and Anthony Arbastro will campaign for UST.
Manila hosted the World Tour event the Sands SM by the Bay last year.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes