CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s representatives to the highly-anticipated 15th Nestea Beach Volley National Finals are all primed up and ready in their quest for supremacy in the three-day battle slated from April 19 to 21 at the Crystal Sand Resort in Boracay Island.
Jade Becalco and Mike Abria of the University of the Visayas (UV) and Jason Uy and Jade Illut of the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) will banner the Queen City of the South's campaign in the men's division, while the Southwestern University (SWU) tandem of Danika Yolanda Gendrauli and Lorie May Layno will chase for glory in the women's side.
Despite losing to defending national champion Jovelyn Gonzaga and Fiola Mae Ceballos of Central Philippines University (CPU) of Iloilo during the Visayas leg last month at the HK Resort in Moalboal, SWU coach Jason Gabales expressed confidence on their chances of grabbing the coveted women's crown they last won four years ago.
"With the way they trained after the Visayas eliminations, I think we have a brighter chance of getting the title," said Gabales. "I am now doing endurance training for them since they needed it most.”
Gendrauli, for her part, said they are aiming for no less than the national championship to bring back the glory days of SWU being a powerhouse squad in beach volley.
With Gutierrez at the helm along with Janeth Ponte and then Marites Natad, SWU scored a historic grandslam on the national stage from 2003 to 2005. The Lady Cobras last won the women's plum in 2008 behind the efforts of Gutierrez and Janelle Tabio.
“It's really been our dream to win the national title. We want to bring back the name established by our school in this field of sport,” said Gendrauli.
On the other hand, UV head coach Raffy Briones saw great potential in Becaldo and Abria to make waves in the grand finale where they will face the country's best of the best.
The same goes for USJ-R mentor Grace Antigua as far as her rookie, but promising wards are concerned.
“We’re training hard in order to improve our skills knowing that we are neophytes in this competition," said Uy.
Aside from SWU, UV, USJ-R and CPU, the other Visayas contenders in the Boracay joust are Sheryl June Denila, Patty Jane Orendain, Roelene Inaudito and Kerwin Reje — all from the University of St. La Salle (USLS)-Bacolod.
Aside from trophies, medals and of course, bragging rights, the grand winner in both divisions will go home P100,000 richer. The second placer will pocket PP65,000, while the third and fourth will receive P35,000 and P22,500, respectively. - THE FREEMAN