The M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) will kick off its 2008 calendar of activities with the holding of the 2nd M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala All-Ladies Beach Volley Open Tournament tentatively set on March 2 at the Inayagan Beach Resort in Naga, Cebu.
This was jointly announced by MLSDF executive director Eddie B. Ybañez and tournament manager Raul Gonzales in an organizational meeting the other night at the exquisite Pino! Filipino Native Restaurant in Brgy. Lahug.
Although beach volley stars from different colleges and universities in Cebu are the top priority, players bearing the name of their respective corporate sponsors are also allowed to compete since it is an open competition.
But Gonzales said the number of entries are limited, thus, the registration will be on a first-come-first-serve basis.
“We are limiting the number of entries to ensure a well-balanced and highly competitive beach volley action. We will not accept those teams who will join just for the sake of participation,” said Gonzales.
During the inaugural edition of M. Lhuillier beach volley last year at the Wiggy’s Beach Resort in Liloan, Jusabelle Brillo and Janez Armie Igot of the University of the Visayas (UV) defeated the Southwestern University (SWU) tandem of Marites Natad and Janelle Tabio in the final to win the title.
Brillo and Igot went on to clinch the championship of the Nestea Beach Volley Season 11 in Boracay Island by taming the same SWU rivals.
Just like last year, Ybañez said they will also provide financial assistance the top performing team in the M. Lhuillier beach volleyball if ever it qualifies to the Boracay event.
That is on top of the cash prizes, trophies and medals that will be given away to the top three winners and individual awardees. The champion will recieve P5,000, while the second and third will take home P3,000 and P2,000.
For registration and other inquiries, one may call/txt coach Eddie at 0926-7319004 or coach Raul at 0917-3337112. — EBV