Beach volleyball slated in Baguio

WHILE the Summer Capital reels from the drop in temperature, the heat is expected take center stage as three of Baguio’s best collegiate volleyball squad renew their rivalry.

Archrivals Saint Louis University, University of the Cordilleras and the University of Baguio take their rivalry to another dimension, here at the slower sand in the True Colors Panagbenga BBEAL Beach Volleyball Tournament on March 2-3 at the Burnham Park.

The two day, two division tournament will pit the three biggest universities against other universities and colleges in the city and Benguet of the beach volleyball tournament 40 kilometers away from the sea and 5,000 meters above sea level.

“We’re on,” said SLU athletic director and tournament director Henry Fuentes of two day, two division competitive and moderately competitive, two-member competition.

Competitors will come from players of 2012 champion SLU, runner-up UC, past winner UB as well as the University of the Philippines College Baguio, Baguio Central University, Pines City College, Baguio College of Technology, Philippine Military Academy and the La Trinidad based Benguet State University and Cordillera Career Development College.

“This is a welcome development and second offering after the one held some six or seven years ago,” said City Tourism Officer Benedicto Alhambra.

“Our players can start practicing already,” said UB coach Ed Laureano even without the sand to play in.

Laureano said that the players will practice at the UB Cardinals gym barefoot in preparation for the event. He said that UB Team 1 will be composed by TCS top attacker Joan Lunday and Mei Madulid.

“It was how Madonna Rimando practiced nearly 10 years ago and they made it to the semis of the national beach volley,” he added. Rimando led UB in dethroning SLU in 2002 that started the Lady Navigators 10-year draught. (Roderick Osis)