MANILA – Ilonggas Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño are raring for the return of the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) following their runner-up finish in the 2021 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Beach Volleyball tournament as part of Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors A recently.
According to the Iloilo City-native Estoquia, the BVR has played a role in her and Demontano’s development as one of the finest beach volleyball tandems in the Philippines.
“Itong liga na ito ang siyang nagbigay daan sa mga beach volleyball players, lalo na binigyan ng chance ‘yung taga-probinsya na nangangarap na maka-experience na makapaglaro din sa mga sikat na players from Manila,” said Estoquia.
“Hinahasa talaga ng BVR ang mga teams in order to play national championship so talagang paghihirapan mo talaga maglaro,” added the former University of San Agustin standout.
Demontaño, a former Central Philippines University star, described the tournament as the “turning point of my beach volleyball career” as it led her to represent the country in international events.
“Playing in BVR paved the way to local players like me to show our skills and play against the best players locally and internationally,” she said. “Being able to represent our country in an FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) tournament is so overwhelming.”
“Both years with BVR are memorable, because it is held in Manila and Boracay so playing in front of our home crowd is one of the best moments because we got all the Filipinos cheering for us and it gives me confidence to play well and give my best,” she added.
Estoquia and Demontaño were fixtures in BVR on Tour since 2016 when they became regulars and become consistent podium contenders in every leg.
The Ilongga tandem made their international debut in the 2018 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Manila Open before returning for another national stint in the 2019 edition in Boracay.
Other big names who etched their mark in the BVR are Negros Occidental products Alexa Polidario, Erjane Magdato, and Jennifer Cosas, who played for the two Abanse Negrense teams in PSL./PN
