By Adrian Stewart Co

The Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) Beach Volleyball World Tour Boracay Open begins today at the White House Beach Resort, located at the island’s Station 1.
Four Philippine squads will be participating including Negrense Bernadeth Pons, who will be teaming up with Cherry Rondina; and fellow Negrense Bea Tan, who is partnered with Dij Rodriguez. Patty Jane Orendain of Bacolod City will also be competing with Ilongga player Fiola Ceballos, along with Ilongga players Jackie Estoquia and DM Demontaño.
“The Philippines has placed well in past editions of this tournament and I hope we will do well again this year and show the world the kind of up-and-coming powerhouse that we are in the sport of beach volleyball,” said Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) President Charo Soriano.
A total of 64 players from 17 countries will be competing in men’s and women’s events.
Qualifiers kick off today, while the main draw takes place tomorrow.
The medal matches are scheduled for Sunday.
Aside from volleyball, the event also seeks to promote the use of reusable sports bottles in an effort to reduce the use of plastic products. The Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force, Malay municipal government, and the White House Beach Resort will also work towards promoting sustainable sports tourism.
Meanwhile, BVR will be hosting a beach volleyball clinic on Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, where indigenous and underprivileged children will have the opportunity to participate in the sport./ASC, WDJ