National tourney caps Beach Volleyball Republic year-long program

MANILA, Philippines – The Beach Volleyball Republic caps its year-long, country-wide tournament with the National Championships which fires off tomorrow at the Sands, SM by the Bay in Mall of Asia, Pasay City. 

“It’s the culmination of our year-long program as we try to spread the word of beach volleyball to as many Filipinos as we can,” said former Ateneo star and coach Charo Soriano, one of BVR’s founders who included Bea Tan and Dzi Gervacio, in yesterday’s press launch at Lola Cafe.

During the draw, tournament director Tony Boy Liao picked the Soriano-Alexa Micek duo in Pool A alongside University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos’ Jennifer Cosas and SouthWestern U’s Floremel Rodriguez, San Beda’s Viray sisters Maria Nieza and Maria Jeziela and guest team Ivee Ilao and Tatiana Sabilan.

University of Santo Tomas’ Judy Caballejo and Amma Camille Abanto, Central Phl U Iloilo’s Dhannylaine Demontano and University of San Agustin’s Jusabelle Brillo, Polytechnic University of the Phl’s Rhea Fermilan and Javen Sabas and SouthWestern U’s Therese Rae Ramas and Janelle Cabahug will comprise Pool B.

Pool C is made up of Rizal Technological U’s Jonafer San Pedro and Jessa Aranda, Bea Tan and Fiola Ceballos, Lyceum of the Phl U’s Cherilyn Sindayen and Rainne Fabay and University of the Mindanao-PNP’s Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Kay Quilarion while Pool D will have Dzi Gervacio and Michelle Morente, USPF’s Apple Saraum and UV’s Jusabelle Brillo, UP’s Issa Molde and Diana Carlos and FEU’s Bernadette Pons and Kyla Atienza.

Liao said the top two teams will advance to the playoff round.

The winner of the National Championships will receive P100,000 while the second, third and fourth placers will take home P70,000, P40,000 and P20,000, respectively.

ABS-CBN Sports + Action HD head Jojo Estacio, for her part, said they will telecast the matches on Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.