Chase for beach volley titles, SEA Games berths under way

MANILA, Philippines - The Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour National Championship gets going today at the scenic Anguib Beach in Sta. Ana, Cagayan Valley with the winners earning the chance to represent the country in international competitions.

The victors in both the women’s and men’s divisions will gain automatic slots in the national pool from where members of the national team set to compete in the Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball Championship in Singapore this September will be selected.

“We at the BVR are forever at the service of Philippine beach volleyball,” said Charo Soriano, one of the BVR founders.

A total of 16 teams per class are competing in the three-day tournament featuring four groups with the top two per bracket advancing to the playoff round.

Expected to contend for the championship and berths in Singapore are Cebu women’s standouts Therese Ramas and Floremel Rodriguez and defending men’s titlists Jade Becaldo and Rommel Pepito.

Also participating in the women’s section are Team Perlas headed by Bea Tan, Ateneo, Rizal Technological University, Iloilo, Bacolod, Tagum and Philippine National Police.

Far Eastern University, National University, Coast Guard, Bacolod, Iloilo, RTU, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, Ateneo and Navy comprise the men’s section.

The champions in both divisions will also pocket P50,000 grand prize while the runners-up will take home P30,000 and the third placer will get P15,000.