La Salle to defend Nestea Beach Volley title sans Galang

MANILA, Philippines – La Salle will defend its women’s title in the 18th Nestea Beach Intercollegiate Beach Volleyball competition on May 1-2 in Boracay with only Kim Fajardo back in the fold as her winning partner Ara Galang is still out on injury.

Galang suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the stepladder semis of the recent UAAP tourney and will be unavailable for eight months, leaving Fajardo in their mission to parry the challenge of champion teams from different collegiate leagues in the white sands of Bora.

Cyd Demecillo is being eyed as Fajardo’s new partner.

“As of now, Kim (Fajardo) has been confirmed and La Salle has tentatively named Cyd Demecillo as her partner. But the lineup will only be finalized by next week,” said Otie Camangian, the national technical director for Nestea Beach, during Tuesday’s press launch.

The Lady Spikers will be up against a crack field – UAAP titlist Santo Tomas, NCAA queen San Sebastian, NCAA South’s Perpetual, NOPSSCEA’s University of Negros-Recoletos, Cesafi’s Southwestern U, University of Mindanao-Tagum Governors Cup Tawi-tawi’s Mindanao State U-Tawi-tawi, Unigames holder University of Mindanao-Davao, University of Baguio and last year’s Nestea runner-up Adamson U.

University of Southern Philippines Foundation will be gunning for back-to-back men’s crowns against UAAP’s National U, NCAA’s St. Benilde, NCAA South’s Lyceum-Batangas, NOPSSCCEA’s Colegio San Agustin, Cesafi’s Southwestern U, Governor’s Cup’s University of Mindanao-Davao and Mindanao State U-Tawi-tawi, Unigames’ Holy Cross of Davao, University of Baguio, and 2014 second-placer University of Mindanao-Tagum.

“Top collegiate teams from all over the Philippines will be taking part so this will be a battle of the best of the best,” said Camangian.

Nestle Philippines consumer marketing manager for Nestea Leanne Jacinto said to spice up the event, a Fantasy match will be held, featuring Nestea Beach Volleyball Ambassador Gretchen Ho, Rachel Anne Daquis, Michele Gumabao, Melissa Gohing, Cha Cruz and three other stars who will be chosen by the fans.

“Nestea Beach gives a twist to this year’s beach volleyball competition by holding the first-ever Fantasy Match. Nestea fans can actually see the players of their choice play the match of their dreams,” said Jacinto.

To vote, volleyball enthusiasts can go to www.nestea.com.ph. There, they can choose the sets of players who will be pitted against one another on the sands of Bora on Labor Day weekend.