UST’s Cherry Rondina gets one over San Beda’s defense in Beach Volleyball Republic in Ilocos. Contributed Photo.
Traditional UAAP powerhouse University of Santo Tomas turned back San Beda, 21-12,21-14, over the weekend to rule the Beach Volleyball Republic on Tour women’s university division in Playa Tropical Currimao, Ilocos Norte.
Tigresses Cherry Rondina and Ma. Cecilia Bangad defeated the Red Lioness’ pair of Iza and Ella Viray for the title.
In the men’s university division, Malaysians Mohd Aizzat Zorki and Raja Nazmi Hussin turned back Far Easter University, 21-14, 21-18, to emerge champions in the event that has the Inquirer as media partner.
“This leg had indeed the most competitive lineup of teams for the men’s division,” said BVR founder Charo Soriano. “We had teams from Malaysia and HongKong and they showcased their world-class athleticism in the shores of Currimao against our local talent.”
“The great thing about the BVR on Tour is we have tournaments every month so teams don’t get too down when they lose,” said Bea Tan, also one of the BVR’s founders.
Cebu’s Jade Becaldo and Rommel Pepito, meanwhile, gutted their way out of an opening set loss before turning back Hong Kong’s Giovanni Musillo and Brian Nordberg, 18-21, 21-14, 23-21, to top the men’s open class.
The winning pairs of each division received P50,000 with the runnersup getting P30,000 in the event sponsored by Nestea, Smart, NLEX/SCTEX, Rebisco, PSC, and the local government of Currimao, among others.
Organizers of the BVR on Tour’s seventh leg of its summer series, led by Former Ateneo stalwarts Charo Soriano and Bea Tan, also held a volleyball clinic for young enthusiasts in Ilocos Norte as part of the group’s “Sandroots” advocacy.
The program aims to promote volleyball at the grassroots level by holding clinics at every stop of the tournament.
“We want to be able to give the kids a chance to learn from the best coaches that we have in beach volleyball,” said Soriano. “The kids who joined were super amazing.
“What we really appreciated was the kids who joined the two-hour ‘sandroots’ workshop,” said Tan. “In the end, it’s really about teaching and sharing the passion we have one province at a tim