Gonzaga-Morada headlines crack PSL beach volley

MANILA, Philippines -  Reigning champion Jovelyn Gonzaga faces an uphill battle as she clashes with a strong cast of competitors in the 2017 Belo-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup unfolding tomorrow at the SM By the Bay in Mall of Asia.

Bannering a new team in Cignal HD A, Gonzaga and fellow veteran Maica Morada brace for a tough challenge from Petron Sprint 4, Generika-Ayala A and Sta. Lucia, which will parade some of the country’s top players ever to play on the sand.

Petron Sprint 4 will have UAAP stalwarts Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons while Generika Ayala A will be bannered by Patty Orendain and Fiola Ceballos, who used to be Gonzaga’s beach volley teammate for Central Philippine University when she ruled a commercial tournament in Boracay in 2012 and 2013.

Others expected to contend are the Lady Realtors who will be represented by Jackilyn Estoquia and Danika Gendrauli, who dominated the event’s inaugural season in 2015.

“It’s going to be very difficult,” said Gonzaga. “All teams will be bringing in their best players and everybody prepared very well for this tournament. We have to work doubly hard for us to win the title.”

Aside from Cignal HD A, Petron Sprint 4, Generika-Ayala A and Sta. Lucia, others seeing action are Cyd Demecillo and Fritz Gallenero of F2 Logistics A, Aby Maraño and Cha Cruz of F2 Logistics B, Ces Molina and Bang Pineda of Petron XCS, Rosalie Pepito and Kat Arado of Generika-Ayala B, Janine Marciano and Mylene Paat of Cignal HD B, Abie Nuval and Wensh Tiu of Cocolife, Marijo Medalla and Bianca Tripoli of Perpetual and Kathleen Barrinuevo and Cherilyn Sindayen of Foton.

PSL president Ramon Suzara said although the team of Gonzaga and Morada is slightly favored, other teams are also capable of pulling off surprises.

“This is going to be very exciting because Jovelyn will be up against equally strong and good players,” said Suzara during the press launch graced by PSL chairman Philip Ella Juico, Belo marketing manager Mario Garcia and TV5 sports director Patricia Hizon.