16 teams all primed up for Boracay finals

Well-rested and highly-motivated, the 16 finalists in the seventh Nestea Beach Volley University Championships are all set to do battle in Boracay this weekend, each pair hoping to outshine the rest and bring home the crown and the juicy P100,000 top purse.

Four former champions, including three in the men’s division, will be back to try and win it all in the action-packed finals set Saturday and Sunday at the world famous island paradise known for its powdery white sand and glittery night life.

The finalists in the annual event being presented by Nestea were determined after eight days of competition and a total of 184 matches among 96 teams – coming from as far north as Baguio and down south in Tawi-Tawi — at the Rockwell Center in Makati City.

Also at stake is P50,000 worth of sports equipment that would go to the schools of the winning pairs.

Foundation University, the losing finalists in both men’s and women’s divisions last year, is tipped to do much better this time, with Kent Bulabon and Rey Catipay looking formidable in the men’s side, and Rolyn Marquicias and Janet Tabio fearsome in the women’s side.

Foundation University is undefeated so far this year, its men’s and women’s squads winning thrice in the eliminations, and twice in the quarterfinals and semifinals of the annual event.

Also making it to the men’s finals are Mindanao State University, Negros Occ. Recoletos, 1998 champion San Sebastian, UP Diliman, defending champion San Jose Recoletos, Central Colleges of the Philippines and St. Benilde. Foundation U won the crown in 2001 with Bulabon and a different partner.

In the women’s side, the seven other finalists are University of Cebu, Southwestern University, 2000 and 2001 winner San Sebastian, Letran, San Jose Recoletos, Holy Cross of Davao College and University of Baguio.

San Sebastian is pinning its hopes on the comebacking Jennifer Bohawe and the gifted Leilani Altovar while Foundation U is leaning on Tabio and Marquicias, a veteran of last year’s competition.

The seventh Nestea Beach Volley University Championships is supported by the following proud sponsors: Smart, Speedo, Le Soleil, Cebe, Mikasa, PAL Superferry, Bazzura, Summer Place, Boracay Gold Crown Club, Club 10, Red Coconut, Crystal Sands, Boracay Foundation, Sun Castles, Villa de Oro, Galaxy, Pier One and Boracay Peninsula.