Tigresses, Panthers face tough Nestea beach volley foes

MANILA, Philippines – The country’s top collegiate teams, led by reigning women’s champion University of Santo Tomas and men’s titleholder University of Southern Philippines Foundation, brace for a fierce battle for supremacy in the white sands of Boracay in the 19th edition of the Nestea Beach Volleyball Tourney on April 28-30.

The Tigresses stake their crown against 2015 runner-up La Salle, NCAA ruler San Sebastian, NCAA South’s University of Perpetual Help Biñan, Cesafi’s University of San Jose-Recoletos, Unigames’ Southwestern U, NOPSSCEA’s University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, Governor’s Cup Tawi-tawi’s Mindanao State U, BBEAL’s University of Baguio, UAAP second-placer Far Eastern U, Davao Intercollegiate’s University of Mindanao-Tagum, and wildcard bet University of St. La Salle-Bacolod.

For their part, the USPF Panthers defend their crown versus last year’s losing finalist College of St. Benilde, UAAP’s Ateneo, NCAA’s Mapua, NCAA South’s Lyceum Batangas, Cesafi’s USJR, Unigames’ SWU, Gov Cup’s MSU, BBEAL’s University of the Cordilleras, and wildcard Negros Oriental State U.

“As always, we expect the level of competition to be high among champion teams battling for pride and prestige as the best volleyball team in the country,” tournament director Otie Camangian said during Tuesday’s launch of the Nestea Love the Beach campaign at the Palace Pool Club in BGC.

As the tourney could run smack into the UAAP indoor volleyball finals, Camangian said the UAAP squads might send their second teams to Bora should they reach the championship of their mother league.

Serving an exciting side event is the second Nestea Fantasy Volleyball Match on April 29-30 featuring eight of the country’s most popular volleybelles. Rachelle Ann Daquis, Aby Marano, Jovelyn Gonzaga, and Melissa Gohing suit up for Team Plunge, which is set to take on Cha Cruz, Michele Gumabao, Ella de Jesus, and Sheila Pineda of Team Chillax.