PSL plans beach volleyball tournament in bubble in November

FILE —Smart’s Celia Bangad saves the ball as teammate Caitlin Viray waits for action during their game against the Foton pair of twins Nieza and Jeziela Viray yesterday in the 2018 PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup at Sands by the Bay.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Superliga is eyeing to be the next league to play in a bubble-type environment in the country.

PSL president Ian Laurel said the league is planning to hold a beach volleyball tournament inside a bubble in November at Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“Subic is pandemic-ready, as they said,” Laurel said on the Sports Page.

“Remember it was in Subic where we had beach volleyball in the Southeast Asian Games. So when it comes to standard we know it is world-class.”

Laurel said the bubble will have about 150 individuals.

The PSL already gained clearance from the Inter-Agency Task Force to stage a bubble tournament last Oct. 16.

The league targets Nov. 27 to 29 for its Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup, where teams outside the PSL’s eight teams are welcome to join.

“We have started talks with other beach volleyball teams. When they found out about that approval, started to talk to us and are trying to get maybe their teams in as well, we’re looking at that possibility,” said Laurel.

Laurel added there’s also a possibility that the tandem Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons would be part of the field.

“We have always wanted a bigger representation with the sport. Ever since, I’ve always said they are very much welcome,” he said.