Lofty target

CEBU’s Jade Becaldo and Edward Ybañez are all geared up for the start of the 5th Khanom-Chang AVC Beach Tour-Khanom Open in Thailand this Thursday.

This will be the first of the two legs that they will be joining in Thailand. The first leg will be from April 9-11, while the second leg-- the 15th Samila-Chang AVC Tour-Samile Open in Songkhla—is on April 14-16.

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) beach volleyball consultant Eric LeCain said this is the start of the team’s quest to qualify for the 2014 Asian Games this September.

“This will be the start for our team to earn points to be able to qualify for the Asian Games,” said LeCain.

LeCain added that only the top 16 teams in Asia will qualify for the Asian Games and he hopes that they will be able to gather enough points to qualify.

“We need to be seeded in the top 16. Unfortunately, as of now, we don’t have points.

It has been years since the Philippines played in an AVC tournament,” said LeCain.

The last time that the Philippines sent a team in an AVC Tour was in 2010.

This will be Becaldo’s first international stint and the second for Ybañez. LeCain said the two are feeling nervous but he is confident that the team can make an impressive performance in the two tournaments.

“This tournament is the highest it can get in Asia. It’s their first tournament together. It’s an uphill battle but I believe in these guys,” said LeCain.

LeCain also said that it’s all about comfort level like “standing in front of guys that are almost a foot taller and staying comfortable.”

The team is expecting to face teams from China, Thailand Japan, Kazakhstan, Indonesia and Iran.

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