NEGRENSE Bernadeth Pons and Cherry Rondina will banner the four Philippine squads that will compete in the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open starting today at White House Beach Station 1 in Boracay.
Pons and Rondina, who have won multiple championships as sandcourt pair, are expected to give their opponent, including foreign teams, a tough competition in the four-day event.
Other Philippine pairs were composed of Negrense Bea Tan and Dij Rodriguez, Bacolodnon Patty Jane Orendain and Ilongga Fiola Ceballos and Ilonggas Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño.
Japan squad of Satono Ishitsubo and Asami Shiba and Thailand’s Thatsarida Singchuea and Pawarun Chanthawichai loomed as the teams to beat in the women’s division.
Also in the main draw of women’s division are Japanese pairs of Sakurako Fujii and Minori Kumada and Shinako Tanaka and Miyuki Matsumura.
Air Force’s Ranran Abdilla and Jesse Lopez will spearhead the country’s men’s campaign, which also includes collegiate standouts James Buytrago and Krung Arbasto, and Cebu’s Mike Abria and Jade Becaldo.
A total of 48 teams (20 women, 28 men) from 17 countries will compete in the BVR-organized tournament. The qualifiers on Thursday will be a single-elimination format with the top four women’s and men’s teams to will play in the 16-team main draw.
The main draw on Friday will have a modified pool play format, where teams will guarantee two matches on the first day, followed by single elimination the following day. The medal matches is set on Sunday./PN
