CEBU, Philippines – The Nestea Fit Beach Volley National Circuit ’09 shifts its focus to the Visayas when 14 schools representing the region hold their elimination matches at the Piazza Area of Parkmall in Mandaue City starting today.
Two former champions in the men’s division and two from the women’s side will banner the Visayas field as the hunt for slots to the May 7-9 Boracay semifinal and final stages continue.
The teams competing from the Visayas are led by men’s defending champion Foundation University and women’s division titlist Southwestern University. Joining them are teams from Colegio San Agustin Bacolod, Colegio dela Purisima Concepcion, Central Philippine University, Iloilo Doctors College, University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos, University of San Agustin, University of San Carlos, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of St. La Salle Bacolod, University of Southern Philippines Foundation, University of the Visayas and Western Leyte College.
The top three teams from the men’s and women’s division will advance to play in Boracay.
Foundation won the men’s title in 2001 and last year while San Jose-Recoletos scored the feat twice, the first in 2002 and the last in 2004. In the women’s division, Southwestern is the most successful team in the event’s 13-year history, having won the title three years in a row—in 2003, 2004 and 2005 and again in 2008. University of the Visayas won the title in 2007.
The Luzon eliminations were held early this March at the SM Mall of Asia Bay Area. Teams that gained semifinal tickets to Boracay are Far Eastern University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran and San Beda College in the men’s division and Adamson University, Far Eastern University and University of the Cordilleras in the women’s division.
Mindanao eliminations got underway late last March at the Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park. Qualifying for semifinal action in Boracay are the men’s teams of Mindanao State University-Tawi Tawi, University of Mindanao-Davao and Mahardika Institute of Technology while University of Mindanao-Davao, University of Mindanao-Tagum and Holy Cross of Davao College advancing in the women’s division.
All teams that qualify for the Boracay games are already winners as they all get cash prizes with champion teams taking home P100,000 each, second placers getting P65,000 each and third placers receiving P35,000 each.
Runners up to Foundation University in last year’s men’s competition were University of Southern Philippines Foundation and University of St. La Salle-Bacolod. In the women’s division, University of the Visayas and University of Mindanao-Davao finished second and third, respectively.
NESTEA Fit Beach Volley National Circuit ’09 is sponsored by Ipanema, Speedo, Parkmall in Mandaue City, Cebu, L’Oreal Paris ElsŠve, Nautilus by PJ Arañador, Mikasa, D’Mall D’Boracay, Tagum Beach Volleydrome at Rotary Park, Cebu Volley Association, Hey! Jude Resort, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel and Crystal Sand Beach Resort. For more online summer fun, visit www.nestea.com.ph. (Marigold P. Lebumfacil) (THE FREEMAN)