Philippine spikers go for Tokyo berths

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine beach volleyball teams set in motion their bid for Tokyo Olympic berths in the semifinals of the Asian Volleyball Confederation Continental Cup today in Nakhom Pathom, Thailand.

Bannered by Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons, the women’s team will have its hands full against powerhouse Japan and New Zealand, with the men facing the same daunting task against Australia, Japan, Kazakhstan and Lebanon.

The other women’s pair of Dij Rodriguez and Babylove Barbon as well as the men’s tandems of Jaron Requinton and James Buytrago and Jude Garcia and Anthony Arbasto complete the Philippine cast vying in the Thai event.