Aussies cap off successful Nuvali Open campaign

c/o AVC

AUSTRALIA gained a big boost well ahead of its hosting of the 2025 World Beach Volleyball Championships after sweeping the men’s podium in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Second Nuvali Open in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

Paul Burnett and Luke Ryan defeated Ben Hood and Oliver Merritt for the gold medal, 21-13, 21-18, on Saturday at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts.

Reigning Asian Seniors champions D’artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, also of Australia,, claimed the bronze with a 20-22, 21-19, 20-18 victory over Iran’s Amerali Ghalehnovi and Bahman Salemiinjehboroun.

“We’re really proud of this and really happy because it’s very important for us for the World Championships at the end of the year to do well in these Asian Tour events,” Burnett said.

Adelaide is hosting the 2025 FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships from November 14 to 23, following the Philippines' hosting of the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship from September 12 to 28.

“We couldn’t be more proud for everyone to go one, two and three on the podium,” Burnett added.

The champions bagged $2500, the runners-up $2000 and the third placers $1500.

There’s more to it obviously than the winner’s cheque.

“We have a really competitive environment in training back home and so we always want to beat each other, really wanting to win. I think most teams went into that really wanting to come out on top.”

The 26-year-old Burnett, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, and 20-year-old Ryan, a grant recipient from the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring program, looked in danger of dropping the second set after a dominating opener.

From 0-5 down, Burnett and Ryan fought to tie it at 12, took the lead for the first time at 15-14, and held on for a straight-sets win, the only two-setter in the medal round on a scorching afternoon.

Australia also won the gold medal in the women’s division as Stefanie Fejes and Jasmine Fleming overcame New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 21-13, 13-21, 17-15.

The Aussies also bagged the bronze medal as Lizzie Alchin and Georgia Johnson of Australia defeated Japan’s Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami, 21-17, 17-21, 11-15.

“We were down quite a bit in the second so I thought it might be getting close but we managed to bring it back and get it done in two, which I’m very happy about.”

Aussies nip Japanese for AVC Nuvali Open bronze

c/o AVC

Elizabeth Alchin and Georgia Johnson of Australia overcame a nervy finish against Japan’s Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami, 21-17, 17-21,15-11 ,to claim the bronze medal in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open on Saturday in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The Australians recovered from a tough second set that Japan won using several mini-runs, highlighted by Murakami’s pinpoint crosscourt hits.

Alchin and Johnson finished the match at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts in 47 minutes.

Johnson and Alchin, the second-highest rated team in the field, held the upper hand throughout the third set and showed mental resolve even as they called out the match referee for being a little too lenient on lifts and double contacts.

“It’s important in this sport to not let those things affect our process,” Johnson said. “We try not to get frustrated.”

“As long as it’s fair among the teams teams, it is what it is,” Johnson added.

It was a fine finish for the Johnson and Alchin, who dropped their morning semifinal against New Zealand’s Shaunna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 16-21, 21-23, which prevented an all-Australian women’s title match in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, also chief of the AVC.

“We’re very happy with the bronze, very happy that we bounced back after that match against New Zealand,” Alchin said.

“Happy to come back out and play a cool game, three sets, it’s awesome.”

Stefanie Fejes and Jasmine Fleming of Australia advanced to the title match by defeating Shiba and Murakami, 26-24, 24-22, in the semifinals.

Fejes is back in the Nuvali Open final after winning the title last year with Jana Milutinovic.

Fleming, on the other hand, is looking to improve on her silver medal finish last year with Johnson.

In the men’s division, Australia’s Paul Burnett and Luke Ryan booked a spot in the final by stunning top-rated compatriots and Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Champions D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, 21-16, 21-5.

It’s an all-Australian title showdown as Ben Hood and Oliver Merritt defeated Iran’s Amerali Ghalehnovi and Bahman Salemiinjehboroun, 21-12, 21-16.

Alas Pilipinas women earn quarterfinals spot

c/o AVC

ALAS PILIPINAS stood its ground against China in a war of attrition, 22-20, 22-20, in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open to reach the quarterfinals on Friday in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara overcame tense moments against China’s top pair of Yan Xu and Zhou Mingli to secure a place in the round-of-eight at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts By Ayala Land.

In an error-plagued endgame where they wasted match points with four consecutive service errors, Progella and Pagara managed to pull off impressive plays to regain control and eventually put away the top Chinese pair.

“We had trouble finding the mark on serve when trying to close them out. No excuses but the heat was too much,” Progella said.

The young spikers from University of Santo Tomas—Progella is 19 and Pagara 20—showed poise against Yan and Zhou, who have the fourth-highest rating in this field, registering three block points against none by their rivals.

Progella and Pagara led by as many as four points in the first set and had to rally from four down in the second.

“They can become a little emotional during these tough situations, but they come through,” said Alas Pilipinas’s Brazilian beach volleyball coach Joao Luciano Kiodai.

“I think we are still chasing our best, and I think this is good, we need it for future matches. And this is important, that we are able to win even when we didn’t play our really really really best,” Kiodai said.

Progella and Pagara take on Australia’s Elizabeth Alchin and Georgia Johnson, the second-highest ranked team in the tournament, for a place in the semifinals.

Alchin and Johnson beat Thailand’s Samitta Simarongnam and Salinda Mungkhon, 19-21, 21-13, 15-10.
Alas Pilipinas’ top pair in men’s play had a foot in the next round when James Buytrago and Rancel Varga seized the opening set and held the upper hand midway through the second against New Zealand’s John McManaway and James Sadlier.

The Filipinos faded in scorching heat, however, and wound up forfeiting the match as Buytrago could not continue due to cramps, with the score at 33-35, 18-21, 6-13.

“It’s super hot, for any athlete it would be hard to handle that heat. You feel tired and you feel the pain more. Then the cramps happen, but it is what it is. That is the sport. That’s beach volleyball,” Kiodai said.

Two Alas Pilipinas women’s pairs also bowed out at the Round of 16 stage, with Alexa Polidario of the Air Force and Lorien Gamboa of the University of Santo Tomas dispatched by Japan’s Saki Maruyama and Miki Ishii, 21-12, 21-10.

It was a short first stint with Alas Pilipinas for Sunnie Kalani Villapando, who played Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association, as she and Philippine Coast Guard’s Jenny Gaviola bowed to Japan’s Asami Shiba and Reika Murakami, 6-21, 15-21.

Villapando, who played for Stanford before joining University of Southern California on her fifth year in college, is eager to get back in action and deliver for the Philippines.

“This won’t be the last. We’ll be training and competing, we’re looking forward to the Southeast Asian Games.”

Bad breaks doom Pagara, Progella in pool play of Nuvali beach spikefest

c/o AVC

SOFIA PAGARA and Khylem Progella had their sizzling run doused by a dispiriting officiating blunder as China’s Yu Tong and Jiang Kaiyue beat the Alas Pilipinas duo, 14-21-15-21, on Thursday in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Invitational champions, coming off a straight-sets win in their opener, looked set to seize a set from the pair of Chinese six-footers when they held a 12-9 lead in the second.

But the streak was halted by an errant ball touch call against the Filipinas by a line judge on a shot that sailed long.

Progella and Pagara, who both stand 5 feet 9 inches, were stunned with the call and the crowd at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts started shouting in disbelief.

That triggered a series of errors on the Philippine side and allowed the Chinese to regain the lead, scoring eight straight points on the way to their second victory in pool play.

“It’s about momentum in beach volleyball, and it was quite disheartening right when we were getting our groove back. Our run was cut short just because of that very wrong call,” the 19-year-old Progella said.

The duo, who beat Malaysia’s Ee Ling Pua and Rachael Go of Malaysia, 21-8, 21-18, march on after going 1-1 in pool play of the tournament organized by the PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, also chief of the AVC.

The University of Santo Tomas pair vowed to put the loss behind them and reset as they prepare for the  Round of 16 on Thursday.

“We don’t even want to know right now who we are facing next. For now, we rest,” Pagara said.

The Philippines men’s team also suffered tough early losses on the second day of pool play, as Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino could not get past Thailand’s Surin Jongklang and Kittituch Khomkham, 14-21, 12-21, and wound up 0-2 in pool play.

Ronniel Rosales and Alex Iraya kept it close against Yosi Firnanda and Danangsyah Pribadi, getting chance to steal the second set but ultimately falling, 16-21, 20-22, to also slip to 0-2 in the 44-team, 11 nation tournament.

Iran’s Ghalehnovi Amirali anad Salemiinjehboroun Bahman romped past China’s Mao Yuan and Lui Yuan, 21-18, 21-7, while Kai Kurokawa and Ryuichi Adachi of Japan downed Lee Cheukhei and Lee Liftung, 21-14, 21-13.

Australia’s Ben Hood and Oliver Merritt squeaked past Song Jinyang and Zhang Tai, 19-21, 21-13, 16-14, while Japan’s Dylan Kurokawa and Yoshiumi Hasegawa routed Uzbekistan’s Dilshodbek Tolibaev and Azamat Daulbaev, 21-8, 21-8.

New Zealand’s John McManaway and James Sadlier defeated Hong Kong’s Kan Szehang and Wong Chun, 21-17, 21-10, while Japan’s Nassim Malki and Kosuke Fukushima overpowered Uzbekistan’s Mustafoev Golibjon and Nodirjon Alekseev, 21-8, 21-6.

Alas Pilipinas impress in AVC Beach Tour opening day

c/o PNVF

THE Philippines got off to an auspicious start in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open with the Alas Pilipinas Men and Women teams scoring big wins on Wednesday in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PPNVF) Invitationals champions Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara had a solid performance in the morning with a 21-8, 21-18 victory over Ee Ling Pua and Rachael Go of Malaysia at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts By Ayala Land.

Rancel Varga and James Buytrago came up with an electrifying match just before the noon break, defeating Uzbekistan’s Mustafoev Golibjon and Nodirjon Alekseev, 21-13, 21-6.

Progella and Pagara, who secured the win in 28 minutes, vowed to do better.

“We may have relaxed a little bit in the second set, but we realized quickly that straight-sets wins are crucial in pool play,” Progella said.

Pagara added that they approached the tournament with a different mindset after competing last year in the Asian Seniors Beach Volleyball Championships.

“We feel a lot more confident this time, although the preparation is shorter,” Pagara said.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions Kat Epa and Honey Grace Cordero, meanwhile, had an encouraging AVC debut but fell just short against Japan’s Saki Maruyama and Miki Ishii, 12-21, 21-19, 9-15, in a thrilling opening match at center court.

The National University stars went toe-to-toe against the Japanese in a 47-minute showdown in the tournament organized by the PNVF under its president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is also chief of the AVC.

Lerry John Francisco and Edwin Tolentino put up a strong stand against Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Champions D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse of Australia before bowing, 17-21, 18-21.

Another Australian pair dealt the Philippines a big opening-day blow, with Paul Burnett and Luke Ryan dispatching Ronniel Rosales and Alexander Jhon Iraya, 21-13, 21-18.

Nuvali Open 2024 runners-up Pithak Tipjan and Poravid Taovato of Thailand recovered from a rough start to beat China’s Song Jinyang and Zhang Tai, 16-21, 21-9, 15-10, while Indonesia’s Bintang Sofyan and Akbar Efendi beat China’s Yuan Mao and Yuan Liu, 21-18, 21-16.

New Zealand’s Bradley Fuller and Ben O’Dea romped past Hong Kong’s Lee Cheukhei and Lee Litfung, 21-11, 21-11.

AVC Beach Tour Nuvali Open to UAAP Finalists

 

c/o UAAP Media Team

COLLEGE stars suit up for Alas Pilipinas in the Rebisco Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open starting on Wednesday at the at the Nuvali Sand Courts By Ayala Land in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 87 champions Kat Epa and Honey Grace Cordero of National University and runners-up Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara of University of Santo Tomas (UST) now wear the same colors as they try to deliver for the Philippines in the 44-team, 11-nation tournament.

Sunny Kalani Villapando, who suited up for Stanford in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I, teams up with Jenny Gaviola of the Philippine Coast Guard, while veteran Alexa Polidario of the Philippine Army will see action with another college player in young Lorien Ysobel Gamboa of UST against top international players in the world-class Nuvali facility.

Australia’s Stefanie Fejes seeks a second straight Nuvali Open title but now goes into battle with Jasmine Fleming, part of the duo that got runner-up honors last year in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara, also president of the AVC.

Georgia Johnson, the other half of last year’s runner-up pair, teams up with Elizabeth Alchin in the event offering $2,500 (around P143,000) to the winning tandems

Worapeerachayakorn Kongphopsarutawadee and Taravadee Naraphornrapat lead Thailand’s women’s squad, while China is spearheaded by Yan Xu and Zhou Mingli.

Twenty teams vie for the women’s title, while 24 pairs see action in the men’s side.

Pool play is set on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Round of 16 and quarterfinals slated Friday and the semifinals and medal matches to be held on Saturday.

Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab of Iran are back to defend the title they won last year, while runners-up Pithak Tipjan and Poravid Taovato of Thailand also return for another shot at the title.

Alas Pilipinas will again lean on James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, silver medalists in the FIVB Futures Nuvali, while also vying for honors in the men’s division are Edwin Tolentino of NU and Lerry John Francisco of the Coast Guard, and Ronniel Rosales of Perpetual Help with Alexander Jhon Iraya of NU.

Reigning Asian Senior Beach Volleyball champions D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse of Australia also eye another win in the Philippines.

Also seeking medals are teams from Japan, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Uzbekistan.

UST outlasts Adamson, earns third girls' semifinal ticket

UAAP Season 87 High School Beach Volleyball Standings

Girls

*NUNS 4-0

*UST 3-1

*FEU-D 3-1

AdU 1-3

UPIS 1-3

DLSZ 0-4

*Final Four

Boys

UST 4-0

NUNS 3-1

AdU 3-1

FEU-D 2-2

DLSZ 2-2

UE 1-3

UPIS 1-3

Ateneo 0-4

DEFENDING girls' champion University of Santo Tomas booked one of two remaining Final Four slots as Cheng Dadang and Angelica Del Mar withstood a tough second set stand by Adamson University's Ella Gonzalvo and Maegan Pineda, 21-10, 23-21, Sunday in the UAAP Season 87 high school beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay.

National University Nazareth School became the solo leader as the pair of Vilmarie Toos and Faith Mangyao defeated Far Eastern University-Diliman's Sheena Cafe and Sheena Pascual, 21-17, 21-14, to improve to 4-0.

The three-peat-seeking Tiger Sands improved to 3-1 to rebound from last Saturday's loss to the Bullpups, tying the Baby Tamaraws in second place.

UP Integrated School secured its first-ever girls' beach volleyball victory as Janella Guarino and rookie Anya Capus outlasted De La Salle-Zobel's Aislinn Alemaña and Kylie Celada, 21-15, 21-16.

The Junior Fighting Maroons and the Baby Falcons are now tied in fourth place at 1-3. UPIS and Adamson dispute the remaining Final Four on Friday morning.

Celada replaced Valdez before the match but it was not enough for the Junior Lady Spikers to avoid a fourth consecutive loss.

In the eight-team boys division, UST extended its unbeaten run to four matches and moved closer to securing a place in the Final Four as Michael Lagaran and Lance Malinao overwhelmed UPIS' Terren Villanueva and Marcus Bamba, 21-4, 21-5.

Titleholder NUNS stretched its winning streak to three after dropping its opener as Wayne Dionela and Kian Tan needed only 25 minutes to beat De La Salle-Zobel's Antonio Papa and Mario Roxas, 21-7, 21-11.

Adamson's Brice Malinao and Gian Ygot topped University of the East's Clarence Gianan and Buenaventura Limpin, 21-10, 21-15, in the morning session.

The Bullpups and the Baby Falcons are joint second at 3-1.

FEU-D regained its winning ways as Zedrick Calimlim and Sam Coronel pulled off a 21-7, 21-5 romp of Ateneo's Ken Nicolas and Santiago Avila, 21-7, 21-5, in the afternoon match lasted for only 26 minutes.

The Baby Tamaraws and the Junior Green Spikers are now level at 2-2.

De La Salle-Zobel split its two matches after a Saturday off as Papa and Roxas bested Ateneo's Nicolas and Avila, 21-15, 21-16.

The Junior Warriors and the Junior Fighting Maroons are now at 1-3.

Action resumes on Friday, with three girls and four boys playing matches at the same Pasay sand court.

Shaw-Rodriguez duo tops BPT Challenge Nuvali

c/o PNVF

MOLLY SHAW and Toni Rodriguez of the US completed a Cinderella run in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge Nuvali, turning back Noa Sonneville and Brecht Piersma of the Netherlands, 24-22, 17-21, 15-10, to claim the gold medal on Sunday in the City of Santa Rosa.

At 105th in the world, Shaw and Rodriguez were among the unheralded players from the US delegation but proved their worth with an amazing rise from the qualifying event to the top of the podium at the Nuvali Sand Courts.

Rodriguez had 27 of the pair’s 41 attack points and also had four blocks as the American pair clinched gold to add to their bronze medal from the BPT Challenge Chennai and silver in the BPT Challenge Haikou.

It was a dramatic finish to a week of intense volleyball, with both teams looking to seize the top prize and the lion’s share of the $75,000 purse after needing to qualify for a spot in the loaded 24-team main draw featuring seven teams in the world’s top 50 and other highly-rated pro tour teams.

Sonneville and Piersma were the only ones to take a set from the Shaw-Rodriguez pair in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation under its president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is also president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of the world governing body Federation Internationale de Volleyball.

Shaw and Rodriguez beat world No. 84 Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio of Poland, 21-17, 21-18 in the round of four, while Sonneville and Piersma beat World No. 56 Sandra Ittlinger and Kim Van de Velde of Germany in the other semifinal, 16-21, 21-17, 15-13.

Ittlinger and Van de Velde ended a run of near-podium finishes, claiming the bronze medal with a 21-18, 21-16 victory over Ciezkowska and Urszula.

Twice fourth placer — in the BPT Elite 16 Rio de Janeiro in early November and the BPT Futures Brussels in August — and fifth in the BPT Elite 16 João Pessoa in Brazil, Ittlinger and Van de Velde managed to salvage a podium spot.

Fan favorites Gonzalez-Carro, Bello twins sustain fine play

c/o PNVF

FAN favorite Sofía González and María Belén Carro of Spain survived a nailbiter against Piper Ferch and Madison Shields of the US, 21-18, 14-21, 20-18 on Saturday in the Round of 12 in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge Nuvali in the City of Santa Rosa.

The world No. 66 and coming off victory in the Copa de La Reina Madrid, the Spaniards came out on top from an evenly-matched battle at the Nuvali Sand Courts where Gonzalez notched 24 attack points and Carro had 11 against Shields’ 24 and Ferchs’ 11.

Gonzalez and Carro set up a showdown with world No. 84 Malgorzata Ciezkowska and Urszula Lunio of Poland, who beat Hailey Harward and Kylie DeBerg of the US, 21-14, 21-15.

The top-rated men’s pair of Javier and Joaquin Bello also sustained their fine run and continued to thrill the fans as the English twins disposed of Dutch rising stars Leon Luini and Ruben Penninga, 21-18, 21-19, in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation under Ramon “Tats” Suzara, who is also president of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and Executive Vice President of the world governing body Federation  Internationale de Volleyball. 

Javier had 18 of their 26 attack points, while Joaquin scored four of the pair’s five blocks.

“Whenever you’re the No. 1 seed in any international tournament and to have a target on your back is sometimes difficult but for us we think of the same way every tournament,” Joaquin said.

“Regardless of what seed we are or what the expectation is if we go game by game, point by point, stay together united and just fight point by point, that’s what we do,” he added.

Germany’s Sagstetter brothers Jonas and Benedikt, who eliminated the Alas Pilipinas pair of James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, cruised past No. 44 Vinicius and Heitor of Brazil, 21-13, 21-18.

Ferch and Shields earlier held off Aleksandra Wachowicz and Julia Radelczuk, 21-16, 17-21, 15-13.

Bello twins impress as Alas Pilipinas suffer tough losses at Nuvali

c/o PNVF

RAN ABDILLA and Lerry Francisco put on a show to the delight of the fans at the Nuvali Sand Courts. 

Still, top-rated English pair Joaquin and Javier Bello proved too strong and scored a 21-9, 21-16 victory at the start of action in the main draw of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge Nuvali on Thursday in the City of Santa Rosa.

Coming off a huge victory in the BPT Elite 16 in Rio de Janeiro and instant fan favorites in Nuvali, the world No. 17 Bello twins played predictably dominant, almost certain to score when left with enough opening above the net.

But Alas Pilipinas did not simply roll over, Francisco tooling the block to earn crucial points and Abdilla setting up scoring chances with his powerful serves to get the crowd going.

The Philippines led 7-6 in the second set and although the Bellos quickly regained control, Abdilla and Francisco stayed within striking distance and fought until the final rally.

“It was a good experience and it was good that we were able to keep up with them,” said Abdilla. “But they’re the top team and it showed, they don’t seem to feel pressure. They play so relaxed.”

England punctuated the first-set win with an ace in the 14th minute and wrapped up the match in 33 minutes with a kill block. 

“The Filipinos really pushed us and we had to try out best to win,” Joaquin said. “This win is important. We try to play every point like it was the final.”

Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda also had a difficult opening match, losing to world No. 50 Ieva Dumbauskaite Ieva Vasiliauskaite of Lithuania, 21-12, 21-8, in the tournament hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

The tough run continued for the hosts as James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, silver medalists in the BPT Futures Nuvali in April, lost 8-21, 29-31 to Mart Tiisaar and Dimitriy Korotkov of Estonia. 

Abdilla and Francisco tries to bounce back when they battle Austria’s Christoph Dressler and Tim Berger, who lost, 15-21, 22-20, 8-15 in an an all-Austrian match against Alexander Horst and Paul Pascariuc.

Next up for Eslapor and Orillaneda are Niina Ahtiainen and Taru Lahti of Finland, who bowed to Daniele Kvedaraite and Jekaterina Kovalskaja of Lithuania, 19-21, 17-21. 

Aussies prove too strong for unheralded Pinoy pairs in BPT Challenge Nuvali

c/o PNVF

EMERGING Australian stars proved too much for two Philippine pairs on opening day of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge Nuvali Thursday in the City of Santa Rosa.

Jasmine Fleming and Elizabeth Alchin, the world No. 123 from Australia, used their height advantage to the hilt, hitting power shots and unreachable lobs in beating the Alas Pilipinas pair of Alexa Polidario and Jen Gaviola, 21-11, 21-13 in the qualifying round.

In a tournament loaded with top FIVB-rated teams from across the globe, even recently-crowned Asian Senior Beach Volleyball champions D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse had to go through qualifying.

Unfortunately for the unheralded Philippine pair of Ronniel Rosales and Edwin Tolentino, they ran into the young Asia-Pacific star—ranked 64th worldwide—who breezed through the match, 21-8, 21-10 in 28 minutes.

The 5-foot-9 Gaviola and 5-foot-7 Polidario started strong and even held a slim lead early, but the six-footers from Australia, coming off a fifth-place finish in the Asian Seniors and seventh in the BPT Challenge Chennai, showed their might and experience in scoring the straight-sets win in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation under its president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

Gaviola said she was not too disappointed, noting that they followed the coaches’ gameplan.

“Although we have played several international tournaments, sometimes it’s evident that we still lack the experience but we need to overcome those things,” the 26-year-old Gaviola said.

“I believe we did fine because we followed the coaches’ instructions. There were lapses and we need to address those,” she added.

Action now shifts to the main draw, which features the Alas Pilipinas top women’s pair of Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda, ranked 125th in the world with a fifth-place finish in the AVC Beach Tour Taoyuan Open and ninth-place finishes in the Asian Seniors and the BPT Futures Qingdao.

“This is a huge challenge, much more than our previous tournaments. The top-rated Europeans and Americans are here so we have to be at our best,” said Orillaneda.

Bannering the women’s competition are Paris Olympians — world No. 22 Alexia Richard and Lézana Placette world No. 31 Clémence Vieira and Aline Chamereau of France.

World No. 36 Maryna Hladun and Tetiana Lazarenko of Ukraine, winner of the BPT Challenge Chennai last week, are also competing along with Jana Milutinovic and Stefanie Fejes of Australia, champion in the BPT Futures Coolangatta in March and the AVC Beach Tour Nuvali Open in April and bronze medalists in the Asian Seniors three weeks ago.

In the men’s side, James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, silver medalists in the BPT Futures Nuvali in April, are back together as they face stiffer competition in the BPT Challenge event, a feeder to the BPT Elite 16.

Ran Abdilla, who played with Buytrago in the Asian Seniors where they fell just short of the knockout rounds, now sees action with Lerry John Francisco in the field headed by twins Joaquin and Javier Bello from England, world-ranked 17 coming off victory in the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 Rio de Janeiro.

UST at cusp of completing its collegiate beach volleyball sweep

c/o UAAP

Games Tuesday at the Sands SM By The Bay

8 a.m. – UST vs UP (Men)

8:45 a.m. – NU vs FEU (Men)

9:30 a.m. – UST vs FEU (Women)

10:15 a.m. – NU vs AdU (Men)

2 p.m. – 3rd Place Matches (Men/Women)

3:30 p.m. – Final Matches (Men/Women)

The University of Santo Tomas needs a couple of wins in both collegiate divisions to hammer home its dominance in beach volleyball when the final day of the UAAP Season 87 collegiate tournament takes place Tuesday at the Sands SM by the Bay.

The duo of Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella, with reserve Lorien Gamboa, is seeking to extend the Tiger Sands reign to a seventh straight season and a tenth crown, while reigning Most Valuable Player Alche Gupiteo and Dominique Gabito, as well as reserve Aldwin Gupiteo, is hoping to secure their sixth straight title and ninth overall.

Both squads from Espana have yet to drop a set so far in the tournament on their way to elimination round sweeps.

Gupiteo and Gabito will kick off the semifinal action at 8am against the University of the Philippines' lineup of Angelo Lipata, Christian Pitogo, and reserve Jonathan delos Santos, while Pagara and Progella will have to deal with the duo of Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons, as well as reserve Floriz Ann Papa of Far Eastern University at 930am.

On the other bracket, National University is hoping to arrange a rematch against UST and end their heartbreaks, the latest being both their elimination round meetings this past Sunday ending up in defeats that serve as their only blemish in this season at 6-1.

Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino, with reserve Leo Aringo, Jr., face off against their counterparts from Morayta (Reynan Postorioso, Amet Bituin, and reserve Kyle Clarence Tandoc) at 845am, with Honey Grace Cordero, Kat Epa, and reserve Kizil Quijote going up against the fantastic freshmen of Adamson in Shaira Nitura, and Fel Sagaysay, as well as reserve Red Bascon to close out the semifinal action at 1015am.

The winners will face off in the final at 330apm for the men and 415pm for the women, with the remaining teams set for a third place duel at 2pm for the men and 245pm for the women.

Adamson punches postseason ticket in beach volleyball

UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Beach Volleyball Standings

Women

*UST 6-0

*NU 6-0

AdU 4-2

FEU 4-2

Ateneo 2-4

UP 2-4

UE 1-5

DLSU 0-6

Men

*UST 6-0

*NU 6-0

FEU 4-2

UP 3-3

DLSU 2-4

Ateneo 2-4

AdU 1-5

UE 0-6

*Final Four

ADAMSON University joined University of Santo Tomas and National University in the women's Final Four after sweeping its Saturday matches in the UAAP Season 87 beach volleyball tournament at the Sands SM By The Bay.

The freshman duo of Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay went through the wringer before besting University of the Philippines' Euri Eslapor and Julia de Leon, 15-21, 21-16, 15-12, and returned in the late afternoon by shocking Far Eastern University's Melody Pons and Lovely Lopez, 21-17, 21-17.

A three-time champion who last ruled the event in Season 76 (2013) behind Bang Pineda and Amanda Villanueva, the Lady Falcons chalked up their fourth win in six matches.

The Lady Tamaraws, who dropped to a 3-3 slate, failed to sustain their impressive morning performance.

Melody, the younger sister of Bernadeth put up a show, teaming up with rookie Lopez in a 21-15, 21-9 conquest of Ateneo's Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag.

The Tiger Sands and the Lady Bulldogs primed up to their much-anticipated Finals rematch today after a short work of their respective foes for a perfect 6-0 record.

UST was in the zone in the service area in the first set and Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella sustained their dominance in the second set to beat De La Salle's Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 21-7, 21-10.

NU brushed off a slow start before Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa imposed their will over Ateneo's Lomocso and Gena Hora, who replaced first player Matibag prior to the match, 21-9, 21-13.

In the final match, Eslapor and De Leon kept UP's Final Four hopes alive after beating University of the East's Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 21-16, 21-16. The Fighting Maroons are now level with the Blue Eagles at 2-4.

The Tiger Sands and the Lady Bulldogs clash for the right to become the No. 1 team in the eliminations at 7 a.m. Sunday.

UST and NU's men's squads, for their part, are also undefeated in six matches heading into their 10 a.m. duel on Sunday.

The Tiger Sands' Dominique Gabito and Alche Gupiteo repulsed UE's Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-8, 21-9, while the Bulldogs' Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino subdued La Salle's Espejo and Marata, 21-16, 21-17.

FEU secured a place in the Final Four as Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso, who disposed La Salle's Andre Espejo and Von Marata, 21-10, 21-10, and University of the Philippines' Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo, 21-17, 21-18.

The Tamaraws, a three-time men's champion whose highest finish was second place in 2019 behind Jude Garcia, improved to 4-2 overall.

UP's Lipata and Pitogo, who defeated Ateneo's JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 23-21, 21-16, to earn a split, now have a 3-3 card in fourth spot.

Adamson kept its hopes alive as Willie Hiltones and Iverson Tan turned back Ateneo's Yu and Carl Corregidor, who took over from first player Pacinio prior to the third set, 21-17, 21-8. The Falcons are now tied with the Green Spikers in fifth at 2-4.

The Blue Eagles and the Red Warriors are already out of running with 1-5 and 0-6 slates, respectively.

UST, NU lock in postseason berths

UAAP Season 87 Women's Beach Volleyball Standings

*UST 5-0

*NU 5-0

AdU 2-2

FEU 2-2

Ateneo 2-2

UP 1-3

UE 1-4

DLSU 0-5

*Final Four

SEVEN-PEAT seeking University of Santo Tomas and National University continued their unbeaten run to secure the two Final Four slots in the women's division Friday in the UAAP Season 87 beach volleyball tournament at Sands SM By The Bay.

Alas Pilipinas standouts Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella bested Adamson University's Shai Nitura and Fei Sagaysay, 21-12, 21-10, and University of the East's Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 21-5, 21-14, as the Tiger Sands rose to 5-0 in the tournament.

Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa also gave the Lady Bulldogs a fifth straight victory, defeating UE's Bangayan and Revilla, 21-11, 21-17, and De La Salle's Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 21-10, 21-8, in the process.

The Lady Falcons, who prior to yesterday was in solo third, absorbed their second loss in four matches.

Far Eastern University and Ateneo posted important wins to bolster their bids for the two remaining Final Four berths to tie Adamson in third spot at 2-2.

The Lady Tamaraws' Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons swept the Lady Spikers' Sindayen and Raagas, 21-12, 21-17, while the Blue Eagles' Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag bucked a second set loss to beat University of the Philippines' Euri Eslapor and Julia de Leon, 21-12, 16-21, 15-11.

The Fighting Maroons and the Lady Warriors dropped to 1-3 and 1-4, respectively. De La Salle, meanwhile, stumbled to 0-5.

Action resumes Saturday with UST and NU facing De La Salle and Ateneo, respectively, before their Finals rematch on Sunday.

World Beach Pro Tour Challenge heads to Nuvali

c/o PNVF

Nuvali is set to host another major international competition at the end of the month, with the upcoming Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge Nuvali.

This leg will offer its participants ranking points, as they aspire to make it to the Elite16 of the Beach Pro Tour.

For this competition, 24 teams each in both the men's and women's division will fight it out for a chance at $75,000 pot. The field will be split into six pools of four teams each, with the top two from each group getting a berth into the knockout rounds.

Hoping to make it a double at Nuvali are the Aussie duo of D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse, fresh from claiming the Asian Seniors Beach Volleyball Championship. The field will be much more difficult now with duos from across the world now in play.

The Philippines, will have five participating teams in the leg, with Ran Abdilla and Lerry John Francisco, James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, and Ronniel Rosales and Edwin Tolentino in the men's division, while Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor, as well as Alexa Polidario and Jen Gaviola, are in the women's side.

UST, NU assert dominance in beach volleyball

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and National University remained unbeaten in three women's matches yesterday posting contrasting victories in the UAAP Season 87 collegiate beach volleyball tournament Saturday at the Sands SM By The Bay.

Sofiah Pagara and Khy Progella put up a masterclass as the seven-peat seeking Tiger Sands overpowered University of the Philippines' Euri Eslapor and Julia De Leon, 21-6, 21-14.

Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa displayed tremendous composure as the Lady Bulldogs rallied from behind in both sets to beat Far Eastern University's Lovely Lopez and Melody Pons, 21-18, 21-18.

Ateneo defeated De La Salle in their rivalry match, as Liz Lomocso and Grydelle Matibag turned back Sophia Sindayen and Ela Raagas, 22-20, 21-18, to check a two-match slide.

The Lady Tamaraws, who are now tied with the Blue Eagles at 1-2, were able to savage a win in the morning session as Lopez and Pons prevailed over University of the East's Van Bangayan and Krisha Revilla, 21-17, 21-17.

Men's titleholders UST and NU, meanwhile, also posted straight-set wins to move up to 3-0.

Dominique Gabito and reigning MVP Alche Gupiteo downed Ateneo's JM Yu and Amil Pacinio, 21-13, 21-19, to protect the Tiger Sands' perfect record.

Alex Iraya and Sky Gemarino sustained the Bulldogs' undefeated run by sweeping FEU's Amet Bituin and Reynan Postorioso, 21-11, 21-15.

UP's Angelo Lipata and Christian Pitogo rebounded from Friday night's loss to NU repulsing by Adamson University's Marc Paulino and Willie Hiltones, 21-13, 21-18. The Fighting Maroons improved to 2-1.

In other men's morning fixtures, Bituin and Postorioso gave the Tamaraws their first victory by sweeping the Falcons' Paulino and Hiltones, 21-9, 28-26. De La Salle halted a two-match skid as Andre Espejo and Von Marata bested UE's Allen Buensalida and Julian Celestial, 21-16, 21-15.

Yu and Pacinio returned in the afternoon by giving the Blue Eagles a split in the second day by repulsing the Red Warriors' Buensalida and Celestial, 21-9, 21-7.

Potts-Pearse duo claims Asian Senior Beach Volley title

Potts and Pearse

In an all-Australian final, D'Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse ended up as victors over Mark Nicolaidis and Izac Carracher to claim the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships on Sunday afternoon.

The duo needed around forty minutes to claim a 21-19 21-19 victory in the final day of competition at the Nuvali Sand Courts of Santa Rosa, Laguna, overcoming their opposition that had the chance to play in the just-concluded Paris Olympics.

Pearse shared afterwards, "Our team connection was really good. They’re a really great team and to beat them shows the potential that we have as a team."

Potts adds, "Jack and I just kept building from the first match, kept building and building, even when the games weren’t going as planned." He would highlight the competitiveness of the field, which saw 24 teams battle it out in the main draw for both men and women.

D'Artagnan says about their final, "Whether it be two sets or three sets I knew it was going to be close."

The Aussies completed an undefeated campaign, which included a 21-11 21-16 triumph over the Filipino tandem of Lerry John Francisco and Rancel Varga in pool play.

Claiming the bronze medal in the even organized by both the PNVF and the AVC are Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab. The Persian duo and the current Nuvali Open champions defeated Wu Jiaxin and Ha Likejiang, 21-15 21-17.

On the women's side, the top-ranked duo of Wang Jingzhe and Xia Xinyi outlasted their fellow Chinese compatriots Xue Chen and Zeng Jinjin, 21-18 21-19. Nuvali Open champions Jana Milutinovic and Stefanie Fejes claimed the bronze with a 21-15 21-19 triumph over Asami Shiba and Saki Maruyama of Japan.

The latest edition of the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships is backed by Nuvali, Ayala Land, Rebisco, Smart, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, City of Santa Rosa, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Akari, Sip, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports Plus, Pilipinas Live, Asian Volleyball Confederation and the Philippine National Volleyball Federation

Twin wins for Alas Women in main draw of Asian Sr beach volley championships

ALAS PILIPINAS women pulled off twin victories in the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships pool play Wednesday at the Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa.

Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara of Alas Pilipinas overcame New Zealand’s Shauna Polley and Olivia MacDonald, 21-19, 21-18, in Pool E play of the event hosted by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).

Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda defeated Yekaterina Ryukhova and Anastassiya Ukolova of Kazakhstan, 21-19, 21-13 in Pool F also of the tournament sanctioned by the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) which PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara also heads.

The Philippines, however, suffered an early double whammy in the men’s side as D’Artagnan Potts and Jack Pearse of Australia downed Rancel Varga and Lerry John Francisco, 21-11, 21-16.

Southeast Asian Games bronze medalists Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago also dropped their first match, a tight 20-22, 19-21 loss to Alani Nicklin and Thomas Hartles of New Zealand.

AVC Beach Tour Nuvali Open champions Jana Milutinovic and Stefanie Fejes of Australia were also off to a hot start via a 21-11, 21-13 rout of Japanese qualifiers Kana Motomura and Nayu Motomura.

The top-rated pair of Wang Jingzhe and Xia Xinyi of China eased past Indonesian qualifiers Kaize Josephine Selvina Anasthasya and Melinda Novita Sari Devi, 21-14, 21-10, in the event backed by Nuvali, Ayala Land, Rebisco, Smart, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, City of Santa Rosa, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Akari, Sip, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports Plus and Pilipinas Live.

Australia’s Tara Phillips and Kayl Mears scored a 21-12, 21-13 victory over Kazakhstan’s Laura Kabulbekova and Nadezhda Ivanchenko.

Indonesia’s Desi Ratnasari and Nur Atika Sari held off Thailand’s Patcharaporn Seehawong and Samitta Simarongnam, 22-20, 18-21, 15-7.

China’s Xue Chen and Zeng Jinjin posted a 21-14, 21-11 drubbing of Japan’s Ren Matsumoto and Non Matsumoto.

Thai qualifiers Salinda Mungkhon and Somruedee Koedkaew pulled off a 14-21, 21-18, 15-8 win over Vanuatu’s Sherysyn Van Toko and Majabelle Lawac.

Jasmine Fleming and Elizabeth Alchin of Australia won, 21-17, 21-18, over China’s Yu Tong and Jiang Kaiyue.

China’s Yan Xu and Zhou Mingli beat Japan’s Riko Tsujimura and Takemi Nishibori, 21-19, 21-10.

Japan’s Asami Shiba and Saki Maruyama turned back Thai qualifiers Tanarattha Udomchavee and Rumpaipruet Numwong, 21-15, 21-17.

Alas Pilipinas bets fall short in Asian Beach Qualifying

c/o AVC / PNVF

Hopes for an additional team into the main draw for the Philippines in the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships went up in smoke on Tuesday, as both Alas Pilipinas duos were eliminated in qualifying action at the Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa.

Represented by Ronniel Rosales and Edwin Tolentino, they bowed out to their Iranian opposition in Salemiinjehboroun Bahman and Khakizadeh Abolhassan, 8-21 10-21.

On the women's side, Alexa Polidario and Jen Gaviola fell short against Kaize Josephine Selvina Anasthasya and Melinda Novita Sari Devi of Indonesia, 21-23 15-21.

Alas Pilipinas will have to make do with their respective pairs already seeded into the competition: Ran Abdilla and James Buytrago as well as Rancel Varga and Lerry John Francisco on the men's side, and Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara, as well as Kly Orillaneda and Gen Eslapor.

Fifteen teams had to be whittled down to four teams to complete the men's draw, while it was a battle for seven teams to be reduced to also four in the distaff side. Both divisions will have 24 pairs split into six pools of four teams each.

Action is set to get underway at 8am.

Progella, Pagara seek redemption in Asian seniors beach volleyball in Nuvali

ALAS PILIPINAS’ Khylem Progella and Sofiah Pagara look to showcase their vastly improved partnership as the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) brings the Asian Senior Beach Volleyball Championships to the Nuvali Sand Courts in the City of Santa Rosa starting on Wednesday. 

The University of Santo Tomas Tiger Sands stalwarts seek redemption at Nuvali, site of their Philippine national team debut last year in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge in December last year.

With a boost in morale from a sterling performance in tough overseas play—they underscored their fine form with a final eight appearance in 2024 FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures in China just two months ago—Progella and Pagara are set to put on a show for the home crowd along with five other Philippine team pairs in the tournament backed by Nuvali, Ayala Land, Rebisco, Smart, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, City of Santa Rosa, Mikasa, Senoh, Asics, Akari, Sip, Cignal, One Sports, One Sports Plus, Pilipinas Live and the Asian Volleyball Confederation and PNVF, both headed by Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

The Air Force pair of Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda also eye podium spots after reaching the Round of 16 of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali in April and winning one of three matches in the Qingdao leg in September.

Philippine Army’s Alexa Polidario and the Coast Guard’s Jenny Gaviola are among the seven pairs battling it out for the remaining four spots in the 24-team main draw.

Nuvali Open champions Stefanie Fejes and Jana Milutinovic of Australia lead the favorites in the women’s side. Australia’s Jasmine Fleming is also back after a runner-up finish with Georgia Johnson in Santa Rosa, but will now compete with Elizabeth Alchin.

Alas Pilipinas Brach Volleyball new guy Lerry John Francisco, meanwhile, is determined to prove his worth as he makes his international debut with the national squad.

The 6-foot-1 Francisco is eager to deliver for flag and country while hoping to play to the standard of partner Rancel Varga when they battle some of the best teams in Asia and Oceania in the five-day tournament.

“I will do everything I can, I will play my best and try to execute during the tournament everything I learned in practice,” the 26-year-old Francisco said, noting the pressure and excitement of teaming up with one of the most established young players in the country will fuel his drive to perform well.

“He’s done quite a lot at the age of 24,” Francisco said of Varga, twice MVP in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines while at UST Tomas and silver medalist with Alas Pilipinas in the 2024 FIVB Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures alongside James Buytrago.

“There’s pressure on me to perform, and I embrace it,” he said.

An Alas Pilipinas recruit following fine performances with the Coast Guard in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Champions League and a local domestic commercial volleyball series, Francisco is also keen to repay Alas Pilipinas coaches’ trust — and Varga’s patience in training — as he plays in his first international tournament.

“It feels great to be given the chance to show what I can do, on a big stage like this, so I am seizing the opportunity,” Francisco added. 

Also expected to shine in the 35-teams men’s competition are Buytrago and Ran Abdilla, two players from the four-man men’s beach volleyball team that bagged the bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games last year in Cambodia.

Abdilla and Butrago are among the 20 seeded pairs, with 15 other tandems battling in the qualifying rounds for the remaining four spots in the main draw.

Among those looking to enter the main draw are former Perpetual Help player Ronniel Rosales and Edwin Tolentino from the National University.

Iran’s Abbas Pourasgari and Alireza Aghajanighasab seek another top podium finish after their romp in the AVC Beach Tour Nuvali Open in April, while three tandems from Australia and two from New Zealand are also already in the main draw.