PSC to hold int’l beach volley meet

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Sports Commission is putting up a women’s beach volley tournament that will surely whet the appetite of the Filipino sports fans.

The tournament, being booked for January or February next year, will feature Class A teams from the United States, Brazil, New Zealand, China, Japan and Korea.

“These are not the national teams but Class A teams. It will surely be a hit, especially among the male fans,” said PSC chairman Richie Garcia.

He said they are inviting a total of eight foreign teams for a single-round robin tournament to be held at the Philsports Complex.

Garcia said there’s no guarantee yet if a Philippine team will see action but said there may be qualified players from Cebu or even the United States.

“It’s a fund-raising tournament for our youth programs,” said Garcia, adding that this early, private firms and individuals have already shown interest to come in as sponsors.

Garcia is hoping that the tournament could generate the same interest and curiosity when the country hosted an FIVB Grand Prix leg of women’s indoor volleyball more than a decade ago.

Brazilian beauty Leila Barros won the hearts of the Filipino sports fans, especially those from the opposite sex, during the tournament also held at Philsports.