Miss Universe bet tapped for PVL?

MANILA, Philippines — Will Miss Philippines Universe and Miss Universe fifth-placer Bea Gomez play in the PVL (Premier Volleyball League)? She recently disclosed that “a team contacted my mom if I could play (professional) volleyball very soon and I’m looking into it, I’m excited but I’m still thinking about it.”

Gomez, 26, played high school and collegiate varsity volleyball at the University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu for six years as an athlete scholar. She competed in Nestea Beach Volleyball, PRISAA, CESAFI and the Milo Olympics. In 2010, the 5-9 Gomez was on the Visayan selection that won the Milo Little Olympics national finals in Cagayan de Oro. That same year, she was crowned Miss Cebu City Olympics. Gomez’ background in sports prepared her for the recent Miss Universe contest in Israel. “It’s the same as playing volleyball,” she said on PlayItRightTV. “You’ve got to be mentally and physically in condition.”

Aside from volleyball, Gomez does scuba diving and boxing workouts. Last year, she participated in a virtual 42k marathon fund-raiser. To stay in shape, Gomez performs high-intensity interval training, runs on the treadmill and watches what she eats, consuming vegetables, high-fiber food and less red meat. It was through volleyball that Gomez and her sister found a way to stay in school as scholars to help out their single mother. Gomez said when her Miss Philippines Universe reign is over, on top of the list of what she plans to do is get back to modeling. She’ll also explore show business opportunities and of course, there’s volleyball.

PVL president Ricky Palou welcomed the possibility of Gomez playing in the league. “If anyone has approached her to play in the PVL, Bea should first find out which team she is talking to,” he said. “There have been cases where a person tries to recruit a player only to find out the team is non-existent. She should verify first which team the person, whom she’s talking to, represents.” Palou said for the first conference this season, there will be nine participating teams – Chery Tiggo, Creamline, Petro Gazz, Choco Mucho, PLDT, Cignal, Balipure, F2 Logistics and Army.