BPT Challenge Philippine leg unwraps

MANILA, Philippines — Forty-eight qualification matches scheduled today will usher in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Challenge Philippine leg at Nuvali in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna.

The event is bursting at the seams with the host Philippine National Volleyball League (PNVF) needing at least five hotels in and out of Sta. Rosa City to billet the athletes and officials.

“It’s the biggest beach volleyball competition the country has ever hosted,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said yesterday. “It’s the biggest and most prestigious with Olympic and world champions and top-ranked athletes converging in Nuvali.”

There are 16 teams each in the men and women main draw and the qualifiers alone, according to Suzara, have 32 teams for each gender representing more than 30 countries.

Oher teams in both genders are also in town as reserves in the tournament supported by Ayala Land, Mikasa, Senoh, Philippine Sports Commission, Pinay In Action and Smart as gold sponsors and PLDT, Gatorade, Maynilad, Rebisco, Ayala Malls, Department of Tourism, CBPI, Club Laiya, Foton as bronze sponsors.