Philippine pairs triumph in Aussie beach volley

MANILA, Philippines — Jovelyn Gonzaga’s first love before becoming a volleyball star was beach volley.

The Ilongga standout hit paydirt in her latest foray on the sand, teaming up with Dij Rodriguez to win a gold in the 2022 Australia Beach Volley Tour Championships at the Coolangatta Beach in Brisbane yesterday.

Gonzaga and Rodriguez downed local bets Alice Zeimann and Anna Donlan, 18-21, 21-19, 15-13, to cap a perfect run in this three-day event considered as a top-tier domestic tournament in the Australian calendar.

The Philippines also ruled the men’s Challenger Division I with Ranran Abdilla and Jaron Requinton smashing Issa Batrane and Frederick Bialokoz, 22-20, 21-17, in the finale.