MANILA, Philippines - Action in the Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit ’09 shifts to the Visayas tomorrow when 14 schools representing the region hold their elimination matches at the Piazza Area of Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Two former champions in the men’s division and two from the women’s side will banner the Visayas field in the three-day tournament as the race for berths in the May 7-9 Boracay semifinal and final stages heats up.
Defending men’s champion Foundation University and women’s division titlist Southwestern University head the list that includes Colegio San Agustin Bacolod, Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, Central Philippine University, Iloilo Doctors College, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of St. La Salle Bacolod, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of the Visayas and Western Leyte College.
The top three teams from the men’s and women’s divisions will advance to the next phase in Boracay.
Foundation won the men’s title in 2001 and last year while San Jose-Recoletos scored the feat twice, the first in 2002 and the last in 2004.
In women’s play, Southwestern is the most successful team in the event’s 13-year history, winning three straight from 2003 and topping the event last year. University of the Visayas won the title in 2007.
The Luzon eliminations were held early this March at the SM Mall of Asia Bay Area with Far Eastern University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda College in the men’s division and Adamson University, Far Eastern University and University of the Cordilleras in the women’s division reaching the semis stage.
Mindanao eliminations got underway late last March at the Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park with Mindanao State University-Tawi Tawi, University of Mindanao-Davao and Mahardika Institute of Technology (men’s) and University of Mindanao-Davao, University of Mindanao-Tagum and Holy Cross of Davao College (women’s) gaining tickets to Boracay.
All teams that qualify for the Boracay games are already winners as they all get cash prizes with champion teams taking home P100,000 each, second placers getting P65,000 each and third placers receiving P35,000 each.
Runners up to Foundation University in last year’s men’s competition were University of Southern Philippines Foundation and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod.
In the women’s division, University of the Visayas and University of Mindanao-Davao finished second and third, respectively.
Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit ’09 is sponsored by Ipanema, Speedo, Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu, L’Oreal Paris Elsève, Nautilus by PJ Arañador, Mikasa, D’Mall D’Boracay, Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park, Cebu Volley Association, Hey! Jude Resort, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Crystal Sand Beach Resort. For details, visit www.nestea.com.ph.