CEBUANA Cherry Ann Rondina and partner Bernadeth Pons will banner the Philippine Team when they join 30 other teams in the 29th Southeast Asian Beach Volleyball Championships in Singapore on Sept. 28.
Rondina, of Compostela, Cebu, and who is a beach volleyball stalwart of the University of Sto. Tomas, won the UAAP title last year with partner Jem Gutierrez. They defeated Pons, who suited up for Far Eastern University.
For the Asian Beach Volleyball Championship, the two will be teaming up. Also representing the Philippines are Jude Arbasto and Anthony Leneul Garcia and Fiola Orenain and Patty Jane Caballos.
A total of 30 teams, of 15 women’s and men’s pairs, representing eight countries will be competing in the tournament, which Singapore will host for the first time. It will be held in Palawan Beach in Sentosa Island.
Held every two years, the last beach volleyball championships was held in Laos where strong contender Thailand took home the gold trophy. Defending its title, Thailand will be sending two women’s and two men’s teams this year, while host country, Singapore, will have three women’s and men’s teams competing for the title.
Other countries participating in this year’s championships include Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.
Play will begin at 9 a.m. and end at 6 p.m. each day with elimination rounds being played on three beach courts. The teams will compete for a spot in the semi-finals to be played on the morning of Sept. 30 and followed by the finals in the later afternoon on the same day.
Beach volleyball fans and the public can watch the matches live for free at Palawan Beach, Sentosa on all three days with limited seating available on a first-come-first-serve basis. VIP packages include premium seating at the grandstand terrace with the best view of the Centre Court are available for purchase through events@vas.org.sg. (MCB from PR)