Gaston, Doromal headline Sipalay Open

Pauline Gaston

SIPALAY CITY—Pauline Gaston and Roma Mae Doromal headline a roster of returning and rising talents as the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) On Tour resumes with the Sipalay Open on Saturday at Poblacion Beach here.

The Capital1 pair, making their long-awaited return to the sand circuit, are among 12 teams competing in the women’s division. The field features entries from Alas Pilipinas, Australia and National University, the reigning Nuvali champions.

Gaston last competed in a BVR event in September 2018, teaming up with Jules Samonte for Ateneo, while Doromal’s most recent stint came in March 2019 alongside her sister Roma Joy during the Puerto Galera and Santa Fe legs.

Training on sand

The Solar Spikers have spent the past two weeks training on sand courts in preparation for the second leg of the tour in this coastal city in Negros Occidental.

As part of efforts to expand the sport, BVR is in talks with the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) to create more opportunities for indoor players to transition to beach volleyball. The initiative aims to broaden the sport’s reach while enhancing athletes’ versatility and exposure.

National University’s Honey Grace Cordero, champion in Sipalay in 2023 and runner-up last year, teams up with Vilmarie Toos in a bid for another title. They face stiff competition from Alas Pilipinas’ Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor, who are seeking redemption after losing to the NU pair in the Nuvali Open last March.