Beach Volleyball – Championship
After 4 months of competition, 7 legs in 7 cities across the country, and dozens of participants, the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) National Championship is coming to its exciting conclusion. There are 16 duos vying for the title of Queens of the Sand, with a P100,000 prize at stake.
In a press conference in Quezon City, BVR founders and former Ateneo Lady Eagles Bea Tan, Charo Soriano, and Angeline Gervacio, along with Ateneo volleyball team manager Tonyboy Liao, conducted a draw to determine the groupings that will compete for the national championship.
Outside the former Lady Eagles in the competition, the familiar names among the 16 teams include Philippine Air Force’s Judy Caballejo and Anna Camille Abanto, Isa Molde and Diana Carlos from the University of the Philippines, and Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza of Far Eastern University.
“They add a lot of star power to the competition,” said Tan.
According to Gervacio, they were surprised at the turnout of both participants and viewers over the course of the 7 legs.
“Especially in Bayawan City in Negros Oriental, it was amazing. We’ve seen indoor volleyball packed with big crowds. Slowly but surely, we’re seeing pretty good turnouts in beach volleyball. It’s a good start“
The 7 legs were held in Ilocos Sur, La Union, Cagayan, Negros Occidental, Pampanga, Aklan, and Negros Oriental, with homegrown talents participating in each leg.
“These are the best of the best so expect every set to be hotly contested“ Soriano said.“Even the teams from the provinces will be in the hunt for the championship,“ added Liao, who is also BVR tournament director. “You cannot take them lightly.“
Beach Volleyball Finals
Group A
- Alexa Micek and Charo Soriano
- Jennifer Cosas and Floremel Rodriguez
- Nieza Viray and Jeziela Viray
- Ivee Ilao and Tatiana Sablan
Group B
- Judy Ann Caballejo and Anna Camille Abanto
- DM Demontaño and Jackielyn Estoquia
- Rhea Fermilan and Javen Sabas
- Therese Ramas and Janelle Cabahug
Group C
- Jonafer San Pedra and Jessa Aranda
- Bea Tan and Fiola Ceballos
- Cherrilyn Sindayan and Rainne Fabay
- Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Quilario
Group D
- Angeline Gervacio and Michelle Morente
- Apple Saraum and Jusabelle Brillo
- Isa Molde and Diana Carlos
- Bernadeth Pons and Kyla Atienza
Soriano, Micek enter BVR semis
“We think that the sport is now growing. Our vision is to grow and promote the sport. We want to educate the people in the communities about the sport we love,”
quoted by Soriano, who beat Bacolod’s Erjane Magdato and Alexa Polidario, 21-19, 21-16. The Bacolod volleybelles had a good start taking the lead 10-4 courtesy of Polidario but Micek regained her rhythm and cut the lead down to 10-8.Soriano helped out with solid blocking to tie the game 12-12 and claim the victory under the scorching Friday heat.
They both also been awarded titles in the seven-leg tour, making them the top seed team in the tournament. They ruled in La Union, Cagayan, Negros Oriental and Boracay. The winner of the national championship will receive a P100,000 cash prize while the runner up will take home P70,000. The third placer and the fourth placer will receive P40,000 and P20,000, respectively.
