MANILA, Philippines – Mapapalaban ang mga Pinoy beach volleyball pairs kontra sa mahuhusay na foreign players sa Spike for Peach tournament na papalo ngayong araw sa Philsports Arena sa Pasig City.
Lalaruin sa indoor venue ang naturang beach volley event na inorganisa ng Philippine Sports Commission at may basbas ng Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc.
“It’s perhaps the first indoor beach volley tournament. It’s quite unique because the sun and wind factor won’t come into play,” pahayag ni PSC chief Richie Garcia.
“But I’m sure the thrill and excitement of beach volley will remain. We’re holding this event to help promote the sport and widen its base in the country,” aniya.
Nakalaan ang tumataginting na $8,000 papremyo para sa magkakampeon kung saan 14 koponan mula sa Brazil, New Zealand, United States, Spain, Netherlands, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan at Sweden ang magtatagisan.
Sina Alexa Micek at Charo Soriano ang bubuo sa Philippine Team A habang sina Danika Gendrauli at Jane Diaz naman ang maglalaro para sa Philippine Team B.
“Beach volleyball is still new in the Philippines and we are a young team. But we’ll do our best. It’s a big boost for us to play against these awesome teams,” sambit ni Micek.
Sina Gendrauli at Diaz ang reigning Philippine Super Liga beach volley champions.
Ang PH Team A ay nasa Pool D kasama ang New Zealand at Thailand habang ang PH Team B ay pasok sa Pool C kasama ang Sweden, Japan at Brazil.
Nasa Pool A ang Spain, Australia B at Netherlands at Pool C naman ang Indonesia, Australian A at United States.
Ayon kay PSC consultant sa beach volley Erik LeCain, inaasahang magiging pukpukan ang bakbakan dahil karamihan sa mga kalahok ay nagnanais makapasok sa 2016 Rio Olympics.
Pamilyar na sina New Zealand bets Julia Tilley at Shauna Polley sa klima ng Pilipinas dahil nakapaglaro at nagkampeon na ito sa Fit to Hit beach volley event noong Setyembre na ginanap sa Maynila.