By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) is set to stage what organizers describe as its most competitive leg yet when the On Tour Sipalay Open unfolds at Poblacion Beach in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City from May 9 to 10.
The tournament brings together several members of the Alas Pilipinas national team, UAAP standouts and international entries, creating a stacked field on both the men’s and women’s sides.
Fresh from their strong showing in Nuvali, National University’s (NU) Honey Grace Cordero and Vilmarie Toos banner the women’s collegiate contingent, while national team players Ranran Abdilla and Ronniel Rosales lead the men’s side.
Both Cordero and Abdilla are aiming for improved finishes after falling short during BVR’s previous stop in Sipalay.
Cordero earlier settled for a runner-up finish alongside Kat Epa, losing to University of Santo Tomas’ (UST) Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella.
Abdilla, then paired with AJ Pareja, also finished second after yielding to Australia’s Killian Donovan and Jett Graham in three-set finals.
Headlining the women’s division is Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Sisi Rondina, who will team up with Dij Rodriguez in a new partnership.
Rondina is a five-time BVR On Tour champion, while Rodriguez has won three legs of the circuit.
Also expected to contend are Sunny Villapando and Gen Eslapor, who are coming off a runner-up finish in Nuvali, as well as Pagara and Progella, who return after competing in the Asian Beach Games.
The women’s field is further bolstered by entries from Kat Epa and Kizil Quijote of NU, Abi Sinson and Michaella Tandoc of De La Salle University, and local bets Jastine Amaro and Kimberly Babe Debuyan.
Australia’s Brooke Ronan and Elena Hillard add an international presence to the competition.
In the men’s division, Abdilla and Rosales headline a field that includes collegiate standouts and foreign teams.
Malaysia’s Majlis Sukan Negeri Terengganu is set to field two pairs, while players from UST, NU, La Salle, Beach Volleyball Manila, and host Sipalay are also in contention.
With a mix of national team players, collegiate champions, and international competitors, the Sipalay Open is expected to provide a strong test for all participating teams as the BVR season continues./ASC, WDJ