PH teams already bracing for Japan in beach volleyball tour
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PH teams already bracing for Japan in beach volleyball tour
ABS-CBN News
Published Apr 26, 2018 04:22 PM PHT

MANILA, Philippines – This early, the pairs from Japan have been tabbed as the favorites in the upcoming FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour–Manila Open, which will be hosted by the Philippines at the Sands SM by the Bay on May 3-6.
MANILA, Philippines – This early, the pairs from Japan have been tabbed as the favorites in the upcoming FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour–Manila Open, which will be hosted by the Philippines at the Sands SM by the Bay on May 3-6.
Eight Philippine teams – four men's pairs and four women's pairs – will represent the country in the one-star event, which marks the first time that the nation will ever host one of the stops of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.
Eight Philippine teams – four men's pairs and four women's pairs – will represent the country in the one-star event, which marks the first time that the nation will ever host one of the stops of the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour.
There will be a total of 23 countries competing in the event, but already, the Philippine teams have identified Japan as the favorites in the women's division.
There will be a total of 23 countries competing in the event, but already, the Philippine teams have identified Japan as the favorites in the women's division.
"One of the teams to beat will be Japan," said Charo Soriano, one of the founders of the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) which brought the FIVB event to Manila. "We're preparing for a fast-paced Japanese team, and we hope to be good contenders."
"One of the teams to beat will be Japan," said Charo Soriano, one of the founders of the Beach Volleyball Republic (BVR) which brought the FIVB event to Manila. "We're preparing for a fast-paced Japanese team, and we hope to be good contenders."
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Japan is sending two pairs to Manila: Alum Kusano and Takemi Nishibori, and Shinako Tanaka and Sakurako Fujii.
Japan is sending two pairs to Manila: Alum Kusano and Takemi Nishibori, and Shinako Tanaka and Sakurako Fujii.
The pair of Tanaka and Fujii caught the attention of veteran Dzi Gervacio, who will be teaming up with University of Santo Tomas (UST) standout Sisi Rondina for the competition.
The pair of Tanaka and Fujii caught the attention of veteran Dzi Gervacio, who will be teaming up with University of Santo Tomas (UST) standout Sisi Rondina for the competition.
"The Japanese women's player, Shinako Tanaka, she played here before and she was my teammate in indoor volleyball," said Gervacio. "But she's really a beach volleyball player, so she's excited to come here and play her sport."
"The Japanese women's player, Shinako Tanaka, she played here before and she was my teammate in indoor volleyball," said Gervacio. "But she's really a beach volleyball player, so she's excited to come here and play her sport."
Tanaka is a veteran of beach volleyball who has previously represented Japan in the Asian Games, winning the silver medal in the 2006 Asiad in Doha.
Tanaka is a veteran of beach volleyball who has previously represented Japan in the Asian Games, winning the silver medal in the 2006 Asiad in Doha.
"Team Japan is the powerhouse in Asia in beach volleyball," said Gervacio.
"Team Japan is the powerhouse in Asia in beach volleyball," said Gervacio.
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Aside from Rondina and Gervacio, the pair of Soriano and Bea Tan will also see action in the beach volleyball tilt. The other Philippine women's teams are: Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Quilario of Tagum, and Dhannylaine Demontano and Jacquelyn Estoquia of Team Iloilo.
Aside from Rondina and Gervacio, the pair of Soriano and Bea Tan will also see action in the beach volleyball tilt. The other Philippine women's teams are: Lourdilyn Catubag and Karen Quilario of Tagum, and Dhannylaine Demontano and Jacquelyn Estoquia of Team Iloilo.
Meanwhile, the pair of KR Guzman and Henry Pecaño – both former UST stars – will banner the Philippine teams in the men's division.
Meanwhile, the pair of KR Guzman and Henry Pecaño – both former UST stars – will banner the Philippine teams in the men's division.
Also competing are: BVR National Championship runners-up Kevin Juban and Raphy Abanto of Team UV; Ranran Abdilla and Edwin Tolentino of Air Force; and BVR national champions Jade Becaldo and Calvin Sarte of Ato Ni Bai.
Also competing are: BVR National Championship runners-up Kevin Juban and Raphy Abanto of Team UV; Ranran Abdilla and Edwin Tolentino of Air Force; and BVR national champions Jade Becaldo and Calvin Sarte of Ato Ni Bai.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.
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