Hopes high on beach volley future

NAGOYA – Philippine beach volleyball has arrived.

That was the statement made by Khy Progella and Sofiah Pagara, who delivered the country’s first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport – a hard-earned bronze after a 13-21, 23-21, 15-13 comeback over China’s Cao Shuting and Dong Jie Friday at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court.

It was heartbreak turned into podium finish.

A day after their gold bid was halted by Thailand’s Taravadee Naraphonapat and Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee, 23-21, 21-18, in the semifinals, the University of Santo Tomas pair roared back to clinch bronze – a first Asiad medal for the Philippines since beach volleyball was introduced in the 1994 Hiroshima Games.

For Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kioday, it was validation that beach volleyball deserves its share of the spotlight in a country passionate for indoor volleyball.

“I think results are always a reference, right? So we’ve improved a lot and we deserve a spot on the mix,” said Kioday. “I know Philippines is a country very passionate for indoor volleyball. They deserve what they have. But don’t forget beach volleyball also deserves it.

“We do have a lot of possibilities. The potential we can have, so I think this is the time we take the flow and use this medal in a good way, not just for one team, but for the whole program.”

Asian Volleyball Confederation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara agreed, crediting the team’s build-up.

“It’s all about training, training and training and competition…exposure,” said Suzara. “They had plenty of competitions ahead of the Games and they reaped the fruits of their hard work here.”

Progella and Pagara swept Pool G, dominated their Round-of-16 and quarterfinal matches, and stunned top-seeded Japanese pair Non and Ren Matsumoto to barge into the semis.

It continued the rise that started with Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons’ breakthrough gold in the 2025 SEA Games last December.

And Kioday hopes it’s just the beginning – a push for Progella and Pagara to turn full-time pro and chase an Olympic dream.

“We just want the opportunity to make Khy and Sofia professional beach volleyball players, to make them have hope to be in the Olympics one time, to be the best teams in the world because they have talent, they have potential for this,” he said.