The Philippines made a strong opening-day statement in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open, with both Alas Pilipinas Men and Women teams notching impressive wins on Wednesday in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
Reigning Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Invitationals champions Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara dominated Malaysia’s Ee Ling Pua and Rachael Go, 21-8, 21-18, in just 28 minutes at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts by Ayala Land.
“We may have relaxed a little bit in the second set, but we realized quickly that straight-sets wins are crucial in pool play,” said Progella.
Pagara added, “We feel a lot more confident this time, although the preparation is shorter.”
On the men’s side, Rancel Varga and James Buytrago turned in an electrifying performance, crushing Uzbekistan’s Mustafoev Golibjon and Nodirjon Alekseev, 21-13, 21-6, just before the midday break.
However, it wasn’t a sweep for the host nation. UAAP champions Kat Epa and Honey Grace Cordero fought valiantly in their AVC debut but narrowly lost to Japan’s Saki Maruyama and Miki Ishii, 12-21, 21-19, 9-15, in a 47-minute thriller.
Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino also gave a tough fight but fell to Australia’s D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, 17-21, 18-21. Meanwhile, Ronniel Rosales and Alexander Jhon Iraya were defeated by Australians Paul Burnett and Luke Ryan, 21-13, 21-18.
Among international matches, Thailand’s Pithak Tipjan and Poravid Taovato rallied past China’s Song Jinyang and Zhang Tai, 16-21, 21-9, 15-10. Indonesia’s Bintang Sofyan and Akbar Efendi bested China’s Yuan Mao and Yuan Liu, 21-18, 21-16, while New Zealand’s Bradley Fuller and Ben O’Dea overpowered Hong Kong’s Lee Cheukhei and Lee Litfung, 21-11, 21-11.
The tournament, hosted by the PNVF under President and AVC chief Ramon “Tats” Suzara, continues through the week, with the Filipino squads eyeing deeper runs against Asia’s top beach volleyball talent.