SPORTS | April 30, 2018
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| (Image Source: Inquirer Sports/INQUIRER.net) |
Eight teams to be led by Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) national
champions Team Ato Ni Bai and Team Tagum-PNP are set to compete against some of
the finest spikers across the globe as they will represent the Philippines in
the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open on May 3-6, 2018 at SM Sands
By The Bay within the Mall of Asia Complex.
Team Ato Ni Bai, comprised of Jade Becardo and Calvin Sarte, has earned
the right to compete in the tourney's men division after winning the
prestigious BVR National Championship. Joining Ato Ni Bai are BVR National
Finals runners-up Kevin Juban and Raphy Abanto of Team UV as well as Ranran
Abdilla and Erwin Tolentino of Philippine Air Force and Kevin Guzman and Henry Pecana
of the UST Growling Tigers. On the other hand, Tagum-PNP's Lourdilyn Catubag
and Karen Quilario will lead the way for the Philippines in the women's division
along with BVR runners-up Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontano of Team Iloilo, BVR
founders Bea Tan and Charo Soriano of Seafront Residences, and the pair of Dzi
Gervacio and Sisi Rondina.
The FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour is a worldwide professional beach volleyball
tournament organized and sanctioned by the governing body of the sport. The
men's division will feature a qualification round with a single elimination knockout
format. The four teams that will qualify from the said round will advance to
the main draw where they will compete against 12 other teams in a modified pool
play format.
Meanwhile, the women's division will jump straight to the main draw that
will be composed of 16 participating teams including four from the Philippines.
The winners in the two divisions will take home a grand cash prize of US$10,000
and tournament points for qualification in upcoming FIVB beach volleyball
tournaments. With these on hand, beach volleyball fans and aficionados should
expect world-class action like no other once the Manila Open is underway.
ABS-CBN Sports, the sports arm of the Philippines' premiere media and
entertainment company, will bring all the action of the Manila Open as its
official broadcaster. Every match throughout these dates will be streamed live
on ABS-CBN Sports' official YouTube channel with the matches on the last day to
be aired on S+A and S+A HD on May 17 and 18 at 4:00 pm.
