TCS beach volley tilt moved

RIVARLY among the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic Association League (BBEAL) may have to wait as organizers of the TrueColors BBEAL Panagbenga Women's Beach Volleyball moved the competition to March 24 and 25.

Heeding the call of Councilor Peter Fianza, TrueColors Media Work this week opted to move the sports event in order to find a permanent place for the beach volley court.

The event is supposed to be held at the Ibaloi Park in Burnham Park, but Fianza said that it is better to have a permanent venue which players can use.

He said he is filing the needed ordinance for the creation of a court. Organizing TCMW said it was able to source out the needed river sand needed for the court which is about 50 cubic meters sourced out from Chadrock Mineral Resources, one of the presentors of the event.

Fianza said he will draft the ordinance for a permanent court near the swimming pool inside the Baguio athletic bowl.

Lyceum volleyball coach and University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) referee Bob Malenab already drafted the design of the proposed court including a permanent placement for the poles.

The former RP men's volleyball team member said that it requires at least a 30 meter by 16 meter vacant lot where the 16x8 meter court will be placed.

"We need also a drainage where the sands can go to instead it being washed away," said Malenab, who will be the first referee in game two of the Ateneo De Manila University - De La Salle University finale that is expected to draw nearly 20,000 viewers.

"Volleyball is really in. We hope that it peaks up here also," he said adding that beach volleyball is a regular event in the university and college leagues. Sana pati na rin dito," he added.

Saint Louis University athletic director Henry Fuentes said he hopes to make the sport a regular part of the BBEAL calendar.

The TrueColors women's beach volley has already attracted 17 teams from six universities and colleges in the city and Benguet.

"Sayang ang preparation namin," said a dejected May Joy Baldonado of the University of the Cordilleras Lady Jaguars.

The court if finished anytime soon will be good training for local players including Cindy Benitez, who is half of the duo that won the Petron National Finals October last year and will see action in the in the World University Games in Kazakhstan middle this year. Roderick Osis