91 teams see action in Bacolod beach volley tilt

Gen Eslapor and Sophia Pagara 

The University of St. La Salle Sandbox in Bacolod is set to host a bumper field of teams for the second edition of the Mayor Albee Benitez Beach Volleyball Tournament.

Organized by the Volleyball Association of Negros Island, over ninety squads are set to participate in the competition, which will feature men's and women's divisions in both the under-17 and the open categories. The U-17 will take place this weekend, with the open category to take place during October 18-24.

PNVF director Carmela Arcolas-Gamboa says about the competition, "It will be nine days of exciting beach volleyball action. And we expect this tournament to further propagate volleyball in line with our program and vision in the PNVF."

The inaugural edition last year featured Ran Abdilla and Alexander Cabatuan of Verayo's Grill as its men's open champions, while Gen Eslapor and Sophia Pagara of the University of Santo Tomas claimed the women's open title.

Aside from UST, fellow collegiate teams Ateneo, Far Eastern University, La Salle, National University, and University of Perpetual Help System Dalta are set to participate, while leading the cast of local sides are Colegio de Santa Ana de Victorias, as well as the hosts, USLS.

Winning this competition this year will net PhP 10,000, while PhP 7,000 awaits for the runner-up. Third place nets PhP 4,000 and PhP 2,000 for the other semifinalist.