Nestea Beach Volley Season 13 Visayas Elims: Exciting battle looms

CEBU, Philippines - Rookies, returnees and new pairs comprise the Cebu teams that will see action in the Visayas eliminations of the 13th Nestea Fit Beach Volley, which will be hosted by the Queen City of the South for the first time from April 16 to 18 at the newly-constructed Parkmall beach sand court in north reclamation area.

Today, the new sand court will formally be launched at 7:30 am to be followed by a local tournament spearheaded by the Cebu Volleyball Association (CEVA) under the leadership of Glen Anthony Soco.

In last year’s national finals, Janelle Tabio and Florian Gutierrez of Southwestern University (SWU) reaffirmed Cebu’s dominance by claiming the championship. Prior to that, Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Armie Igot of the University of the Visayas (UV) ruled the country’s most prestigious beach volley event.

This time around, it will be a totally different ballgame as SWU fields in newcomers Danika Gendrauli and Lorie May Layno, while UV taps the services of greenhorns Ivy Mae Abella and Noriena Castro.

“In my observation, we have bigger chances to qualify for the top three spots. Even if my players are both first timers in the Nestea beach volley, I can still say that they are competitive. I trust my players, Lorie (Layno) and Danika (Gendrauli) but as they say, the ball is round,” said SWU coach Joerem Yu.

“We practice everyday. I told my players if they can make it to be the champions, then do it. To be included in the top three slots will just be okay,” Yu added.

With Abella and Castro in the womens team, the Raffy Briones-mentored UV men’s squad will still have Jade Becaldo and a newbie Jay-r Bendejo.

“Even though they are neophytes, we expect the unexpected. We have to deliver the goods and we have to bring the laurels to our alma mater and keep the UV spirit burning always,” said Briones.

The University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), on the other hand, will bank on the services of Ericka Camille Verano and new partner Apple Seraum in the women’s bracket and Edward Ybañez and Marlon Luces, who formerly played with the University of St. La Salle (USLS)- Bacolod, in the strong title contender, University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) of Cebu Sports Hall of Famer coach Grace Antigua will parade former RP Youth members Genie Sabas and Michelle Simbajon, who missed the action last year because of conflict of schedule with the National PRISAA.

In the men’s classification, USJ-R will again try their luck by retaining the powerful duo of Ariel Carumba and Louijie Tipgos.

“As for our expectation, I would like my players to give their best and enjoy each game. We are hoping that we could qualify for the National Finals in Boracay,” said Antigua.

The Eugene dela Cerna-coached University of San Carlos (USC), which also failed to participate last year because of the National PRISAA Games in Zamboanga City, will count the most from Roderick Arenasa, who will now be paired with newcomer Bonvie Estrera. In the distaff side, the Carolinians will bank on Jerymie Montalvo and Chona Gesulga.

The top three teams in each division will advance to the national finals on May 6-9 in Boracay Island.   THE FREEMAN)