Gatorade-PSL Beach Volley unwraps today

MANILA, Philippines — After almost a year of hiatus, volleyball returns to action today as the Philippine Superliga rolls out the red carpet for the Gatorade-PSL Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup in a bubble setup in Subic, Zambales.

It’s the first volleyball tournament amid the pandemic held in coordination with Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Inter-Agency Task Force Region III.

Sta. Lucia 2 and Kennedy Solar Energy-Petro Gazz play in the sands at 8 a.m. to open Pool A action as United Auctioneers and Abanse Negrense 2 kick off Pool B games at 9 a.m.

Other matches include F2 Logistics-Abanse Negrense 1 (10 a.m.), Sta. Lucia 1-Toby’s Sports (11 a.m.), Sta. Lucia 2-Abanse Negrense 1 (2 p.m.), F2-Petro Gazz (3 p.m.), United Auctioneers-Toby’s Sports (4 p.m.) and Sta. Lucia 1-Abanse Negrense 2 (5 p.m.).

DM Demontano and Jackie Estoquia make up Sta. Lucia 1, which looms as the favorite coming from back-to-back runner-up finishes in the PSL Challenge Cup.

“We feel blessed since beach volleyball is given a chance to compete in a bubble setting. We will make sure to be always ready physically and mentally. In every game, we will give everything to win,” said Demontano.

PSL president Dr. Ian Laurel is also thankful to usher in volleyball’s return with this three-day joust culminating in a one-game finale from the crossover playoffs between Pool A and B.

“We’re very happy that volleyball is finally coming back especially with the help of SBMA, Region III and IATF. Even there’s a pandemic with the right partnership and right guidance coming from the IATF and LGU, we were able to bring back the sport,” he said.

All matches will be livestreamed on PSL’s Youtube channel as the league is still in the middle of negotiations with GMA 7 as its next broadcast partner for future tournaments.