Nestea Beach Volley next year, Cebu may host national finals

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu is likely to host the National Finals of the prestigious Nestea Beach Volley a year or two from now.

Nestea marketing promotions and events executive Jose Manuel B. Santos said the Queen City of the South is one of their options as venue in the Nationals for next year's edition of the annual tournament, which has been held in Boracay Island for the past 15 years.

“Cebu is definitely an option because it has a lot of beautiful beaches. Most of the players who excelled in the nationals also came from this part of the region,” said Santos in a press conference drumming up the Visayas leg of the 15th Nestea Beach Volley set from March 9 to 11 at the HK Resort in Moalboal, Cebu.

Cebu though has big obstacle to hurdle to get that hosting chores and that is to put up a beach volley court of international standard.

Otie Camangian, national technical director of the country's premiere beach volley event, said during their ocular inspection here, they found out that some of the potential venues did not pass the standard of the Philippine Volleyball Federation (PVF) much more with FIVB, the international governing of the sport.

“It will be a great challenge for Cebu to put up a beach volley court of international standard. If Cebu can establish one, then there's a big possibility that it will serve as venue for many national beach volley events,” said Camangian.

Meanwhile, the keenly-awaited Visayas eliminations will kick off tomorrow in the municipality of Moalboal, Cebu's premiere diving spot and a major tourist destination.

A dozen teams will battle it out for supremacy in the men's division led by defending champion Foundation University (FU) of Dumaguete City.

The rest of the title contenders are Central Philippines University (CPU), University of the Visayas (UV), University of San Carlos (USC), University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R), University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF), University of San Agustin (USA)-Iloilo, University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, University of Negros Occidental-Bacolod,Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion (CPC)-Iloilo and John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University of Iloilo City.

The women's category, on the other hand, drew 11 teams bannered by reigning titlist Southwestern University (SWU).

The other contending squads include USC, USJ-R, USPF, FU, USLS-Bacolod, UNOC-Bacolod, CPU, CPC, University of Bohol (UB) and Bohol Institute of Technology (BIT).

Only three teams in each division will proceed into the National Finals set from April 19 to 21 at Boracay Island. The overall champions will take home P100,000 apiece.

Aside from beach volley, exciting sidelights such as beach soccer and frisbee competition have been lined up by the organizers as an added treat to the spectators in the event supported by Speedo, Mikasa, La Carmela de Boracay Resort Hotel, Boracay Mandarin Island Hotel and Crystal Sand Beach Resort, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities and Shakey’s Pizza.

“We have also lined-up a unique mix of interesting activities and side events as Nestea aims to bring together the youth in the ultimate beach summer event that promotes refreshing goodness though healthy, active and responsible lifestyle,” said Santos. - THE FREEMAN