‘Action-packed’ PSL Beach volleyball tournament kicks off July 18

Twelve teams in the women’s division will highlight the PLDT Home Ultera-Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup powered by Smart Live More which kicks off July 18 at Sand by the Bay in SM Mall of Asia complex.

Led by certified crowd-drawers Gretchen Ho, Alexa Micek and Cha Cruz, the inaugural tourney will divide the team into four groups. Top two of each group collide in the quarterfinals where the winners meet in the semifinals.

“Under this format, we expect that only the best team will survive,” said PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara who presided over the drawing of lots, general technical meeting and press conference held Thursday.

“We have a very balanced field. We really can’t predict who will emerge as the inaugural champion as all teams are serious in their respective preparations. This is going to be an exciting battle, not only for the teams, but for the fans as well,” he added.

Ho and Frances Molina will play for Petron XCS, while Micek and Fille Cayetano will man the Petron Sprint 4T. Cruz and Micmic Laborte will play for Cignal A, while Wensh Tiu and Rose Hingpit banner Cignal B.

Also seeing action are Pau Soriano and Bea Tan of Foton Hurricanes; Patty Orendain and Filoa Ceballos of Foton Tornadoes; Alileen Abuel and Rosan Fajardo of Philips Gold; Danica Gendrauli and Norie Jane Diaz of Gilligan’s; Len Cortel and Samantha Dawson of Sonak; Evangeline Pastor and Kin Ygay of Quantum Plus A; Tripoli Aurora and Rochet Dela Paz of Quantum Plus B; and Cindy Benitez and Florence Madulid of Benguet Electric Cooperative (Beneco).

There will also be action in men’s division which includes Cebuano pair Jade Becaldo and Hachaliah Gilbuena for SM By the Bay Team A. Team B will be bannered by brothers Tim and Daniel Young.

Also competing are Fernando Alboro and Ronel Del Mundo for University of Perpetual Help Molino A; Emanuel Gamat and Paolo Alona of University of Perpetual Help Molino B; Sandy Montero and Edmar Bonono of Cignal A; Jay Dela Cruz and Emmanuel Luces of Cignal B; Michael Ian Conde and Karl Dela Calzada of Instituto Estetico Manila (IEM); and Angelo Espiritu and Nestor Molate of Champion Infinity A.

“We assure the fans that the battle in the men’s division will also be exciting,” Suzara said. “Playing on the sand is way different than playing indoor. So brace yourself because we guarantee that it will be an action-packed tournament from start to finish.”