BORACAY—Defending champions University of the Visayas and Central Philippine University will spearhead the 17th Nestea Beach Volleyball which fires off today with a 24-team cast in front of Boracay Beach Chalets in Station 2.
UV, eyeing a third straight men’s title, will have Jade Becaldo anew and new partner Mark Anthony Fernandez. Becaldo teamed up with Mike Abria last year when they beat University of San Jose-Recoletos, 28-26, 21-12.
Fiola Mae Ceballos will again lead three-peat women’s champion Central Philippine University along with Valerie Jen Amar. Ceballos and Jovelyn Gonzaga nailed CPU’s third straight championship last year over University of Santo Tomas’ Maru Banaticla and Judy Caballejo, 22-20, 22-18.
“We will have the best collegiate teams in the country,” said Philippine Volleyball Federation secretary general and tournament technical director Otie Camangian. “We are also looking forward to get players for the national beach volleyball pool.”
Included in the Luzon roster are reigning UAAP men’s champion National U, starring Edwin Tolentino and Joseph Henry Tipay, and women’s winner Adamson, to be represented by Shiela Pineda and Amanda Villanueva.