PH to host Asian beach volleyball tourney in Laguna

MANILA – The Smart Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Beach Tour Nuvali Open featuring 46 teams will be held at Nuvali Sand Courts in Santa Rosa, Laguna from April 4 to 7.

It is the country's second major international tournament since the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Challenge in December.

The Philippine team under Brazilian coach Joao Luciano Kiodai and Mayi Molit-Prochina is composed of four pairs, namely Gen Eslapor and Kly Orillaneda, Alexa Polidario and Jenny Gaviola, James Buytrago and Rancel Varga, and Ranran Abdilla and AJ Pareja.

The women's division features three teams from Australia, Japan and Thailand; two from Hong Kong, Singapore, Kazakhstan and New Zealand; and Indonesia, Macau and Malaysia.

The men's division has three teams each from Australia, Japan and Thailand; two each from Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Iran and New Zealand; and from China, Malaysia, Hongkong, Singapore and Macau.

"The Philippines has become a destination for both regional [Asia and Southeast Asia] and international volleyball competitions and we are proud of that distinction, especially because we are world championship host for the first time next year," Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Ramon Suzara said in a statement on Sunday.

Tickets to the Smart AVC Beach Tour Nuvali Open are now available at www.ticketmax.ph, including the day pass worth P220.

The 2023 Philippine National Games and Batang Pinoy were also held at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts.

The AVC Beach Tour is one of six international tournaments that the PNVF is organizing this year, ahead of the historic FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship 2025.

Nuvali will also host the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour-Futures on April 11 to 14 and Volleyball World Pro Tour Challenge in November.

The other events are the Volleyball Nations League Men's Week 3 on June 18 to 23; 5th AVC Challenge Cup for Women in May; and 4th Southeast Asia V League Week 2 in July. (PNA)